<i>Lavandula </i>plant named ‘TWIN SUMMER’

Abstract

A new and distinct Lavandula cultivar named ‘TWIN SUMMER’ is disclosed, characterized by large sterile terminal bracts uniquely colored violet with irregular white spots and stripes. Individual flower corolla color is dark violet. Plants are typically upright in growth habit, and begin flowering very early. The new variety is a Lavandula, normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Lavandula plant named ‘TWIN SUMMER’ as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘TWIN SUMMER’ grown outdoors in Odense, Denmark. The plant grown in a commercial 1 gallon container. Age of the plants photographed is approximately 30 weeks from a rooted cutting.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates a close up of the inflorescence.

(3) The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(4) In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘TWIN SUMMER’ plants which were grown in Odense, Denmark. Unrooted cuttings were stuck in a heated greenhouse during week 5 of 2020. Plants were pinched 3 times, then potted into 2 liter pots during week 15 and grown in an unheated greenhouse. Plants were placed outdoors week 20. The growing temperature ranged from 8° C. to 25° C. during the day and from 1° C. to 15° C. during the night. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. The description was made in June of 2020. Botanical classification: Lavandula stoechas ‘TWIN SUMMER’.

PROPAGATION

(5) Time to initiate roots: About 13 days at approximately 18° C. Time to produce a rooted cutting: About 18 days at 18° C.

PLANT

(6) Age of plant described: Approximately 17 weeks from a rooted cutting. Pot size: 2 liter. Plant habit: Upright. Plant spread: Approximately 28 cm. Plant height: Approximately 30 cm. Growth rate: Approximately 3.5 mm/day after potting. Length of primary lateral branches: Approximately 25 cm. Diameter of lateral branches: Approximately 0.4 cm. Quantity of lateral branches: About 24. Branches: Color.—Near RHS 144B. Texture/pubescence.—Pubescent — Stellate. Internode length: Approximately 2.5 cm. Root description: Fine, well branched, becoming woody with age. Brown to tan, not accurately measured with The R.H.S. Colour Chart.

FOLIAGE

(7) Leaf: Arrangement.—Opposite. Quantity.—Approximately 9 leaf pairs per main branch. Average length.—Approximately 4.5 cm. Average width.—Approximately 0.9 cm. Shape of blade.—Lorate. Apex.—Obtuse. Base.—Acute. Attachment.—Sessile. Margin.—Entire. Texture of top surface.—Softly pubescent. Texture of bottom surface.—Softly pubescent. Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS 137A. Young foliage under side: Near RHS 137D. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS 137C. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS 137D. Venation.—Type: Reticulate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS 137A. Venation color under side: Near RHS 137D. Petiole.—Absent.

FLOWER

(8) Bloom period: June-September. (approximately 9 weeks from potting). Inflorescence: Form.—Small single flower in verticillasters arranged in spikes with large showy terminal bracts. Quantity of rows of flowers per verticillaster.—8-9. Individual flowers: Arrangement.—Corolla tube is 2-lipped. Upper lip 2 lobes. Lower lip 3 lobes. Size individual flowers: Length: Approximately 0.8 cm. Diameter: Approximately 0.5 cm. Upper lip.—Apex: Obtuse. Margin: Entire. Texture: Glabrous. Lower lip.—Apex: Acute to mucronate. Margin: Entire. Texture: Glabrous. Throat.—Diameter: 2 mm. Color: Violet-Blue N92A. Texture: Glabrous. Tube.—Length: 4 mm. Diameter: 2 mm. Texture: Glabrous. Color: Violet-Blue 90A. Inflorescence size, excluding terminal bracts.—Length: Approximately 2.5 cm. Width: Approximately 1.5 cm. Coloration of individual flowers and entire spikes, excluding terminal bracts: Immature: Near RHS Violet-Blue N92B. Mature: Near RHS Violet-Blue N92B. Fading: Near RHS Violet-Blue N92B. Lastingness.—Inflorescence about 4 weeks, individual flowers about 2 to 3 weeks. Terminal bracts: Quantity.—4. Length.—Approximately 3.5 cm. Width.—Approximately 1.5 cm. Aspect.—Slightly Undulating. Duration on plant.—Approximately 1.5 weeks, with good color. Persistent. Shape.—Oblong. Apex.—Obtuse to broad acute. Margin.—Entire, somewhat undulate. Base.—Truncate. Texture.—Glabrous. Color.—Upper side of immature bract: Near RHS Violet 86C with spots/stripes near White 155B. Under side of immature bract: Near RHS Violet 86C with spots/stripes near White 155B. Upper side of mature bract: Near RHS Violet 86C with spots/stripes near White 155B. Under side of mature bract: Near RHS Violet 86C with spots/stripes near White 155B. Flower bud: Shape.—Oblong. Length.—3 mm. Width.—2 mm. Texture.—Pubescent. Color.—RHS Violet-Blue N92D. Sepals: Description.—5 fused into a tubular calyx about 5 mm long and 3 mm wide. Apex.—Acute. Margin.—Entire. Texture.—Roughly pubescent exterior, interior softly pubescent. Exterior color.—RHS Violet 86D, base near Yellow-Green 145C. Interior color.—RHS Greyed-Purple N187B. Fragrance: Not detected in the flower specifically, but the plant has the typical lavender fragrance. Peduncle: Peduncle length.—Approximately 4 cm. Peduncle diameter.—Approximately 0.2 cm. Aspect.—Upright. Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B. Texture.—Softly pubescent.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(9) Androecium: Stamens.—4. Filament length.—Approximately 0.6 cm incl. the 0.5 cm part that is fused with corolla. Anther shape.—Capitate. Anther length.—Approximately 0.7 mm. Anther color.—Near RHS Yellow-Orange 14A. Pollen quantity.—Moderate, colored near Yellow-Orange 14A. Pistil: Number.—1. Length.—Approximately 0.6 cm. Style.—Length: Approximately 0.5 cm. Color: Near RHS Yellow 11D. Stigma.—Shape: Capitate. Color: Near RHS Blue 103A. Ovary: Less than 1 mm, colored near Yellow-Green 145A.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(10) Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to the normal diseases and pests of Lavandula stoechas. has been observed. Lavandula is not affected by many diseases and pests. However, Botrytis and some root rot pathogens can be disease problems, especially in overly wet conditions. Various species of White Fly may infect Lavandula. Drought tolerance and cold tolerance: Tolerates high temperature to at least 32° C. Tolerates low temperatures to approximately −2° C. While specific drought tolerance has not been observed, once plants are established very little water is necessary to maintain plants. Fruit/seed production: Fruit and seed production not observed.