<i>Nepeta </i>plant named ‘G19213’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Nepeta plant named G19213 is disclosed, characterized by plants with a compact and densely branched habit, producing thick, dark green leaves. Vernalization is not required for flowering. Flowers are large, about double the typical size for this species and dark violet-blue. Plants flowering over a long period of time, from Spring through the first frost. The new cultivar is a Nepeta, suitable for ornamental garden purposes.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Nepeta plant named G19213 as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical overwintered plant of G19213 grown outdoors in the ground in Bellefonte, Pa. The plant is approximately 18 months.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a close up of a flowering spike of the new variety and of a comparator. The flowering spike of G19213, with more florets in a denser arrangement and darker florets is on the right side. The flowering spike on the left side is from the comparator Cats Meow.

(3) FIG. 3 illustrates in close up perspective of typical foliage of the new variety.

(4) 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

(5) 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 G19213 plants grown outdoors in West Sussex, England. Plants are approximately 1 year old, in a 2 liter nursery container. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Botanical classification: Nepeta faassenii G19213.

PROPAGATION

(6) Time to initiate roots: About 5 days at approximately 16 C. Time to produce a rooted cutting: About 14 days at 16 C. Typical propagation method: Vegetative cuttings.

PLANT

(7) Overall plant shape or growth habit: Upright, clump forming flowering perennial. Plant spread: Approximately 30 cm. Plant height: Approximately 17 cm to top of foliar plane. About 24 cm to top of flowering plane. Growth rate: Moderate. Length of primary lateral branches: Average range 9 to 18 cm. Diameter of lateral branches: Approximately 3 mm. Quantity of lateral branches: About 30. Color.Near RHS Green 138B. Texture.Softly pubescent. Internode length: Average range 1.0 to 2.5 cm. Age of plant described: Approximately 8 to 10 weeks from a rooted cutting. Root description: Fine, fibrous, dense. Tan or white, not accurately measured with a color chart.

FOLIAGE

(8) Leaf: Arrangement.Opposite. Quantity.Average range 10 to 16 per main branch. Average length.Approximately 2.5 cm. Average width.Approximately 1.5 cm. Shape of blade.Ovate. Apex.Broad acute. Base.Cordate. Attachment.Petiolate. Margin.Crenulate. Aspect.Undulating. Texture of top surface.Rugose, pubescent. Texture of bottom surface.Rugose, pubescent. Foliage scent.Strongly aromatic, typical fragrance for the species. Color.Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Green 138A. Mature foliage upper side: Between Green 137A and 139A. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Green 138A. Venation.Type: pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Venation color under side: Near RHS Green 138B. Petiole.Average Length: Approximately 6 mm. Diameter: Approximately 2 mm. Color: Near RHS Green 138B. Texture: Pubescent.

FLOWER

(9) Natural flowering season: May to first hard frost(at the breeder's location, Bellefonte, Pa.) Inflorescence type and habit: Terminal racemes with axially cymes subtended by reduced foliage-like bracts. Individual flower longevity on plant: About 3 to 5 days. Quantity of flowers: About 12 blooming spikes per plant at this age of maturity. About 60 to 100 florets per inflorescence. Inflorescence size: Diameter.Approximately 4.1 cm. Height.Average range 14 to 18 cm. Pedicel: Length.Average range 3 to 7 mm. Diameter.1.5 mm. Texture.Pubescent. Color.Near RHS Green 137C, sometimes flushed Greyed-Purple N186B. Orientation.Approximately 45 degrees angle of emergence. Straight. Strength.Strong and flexible. Peduncle: Length.Average range 2 to 4 cm. Diameter.3 mm. Texture.Pubescent. Color.Near RHS Green 137D. Orientation.Approximately 0 to 15 degrees angle of emergence, straight to strongly undulating. Strength.Strong and flexible. Individual flowers: Petal arrangement.The corolla is sympetalous and typically bilabiate with 2 small, highly fused lobes forming an upper lip and 3 larger highly fused lobes forming a lower lip. Size: Diameter.Approximately 1.2 cm. Length.Approximately 1.6 cm. Persistence.Non-persistent. Fragrance.Musty. Petals: Margin.Shallow and infrequently crenate at lower and upper lips. Tip shape.Upper lip: slightly reflexed. Lower lip: slightly cupped. Length.Upper lip: 6 mm. Lower lip: 10 mm. Tube: 1 cm. Width.Upper lip: 7 mm. Lower lip: 13 mm. Tube: 3 mm. Texture.Upper lip: pubescent on outer surface, glabrous on inner surface. Lower lip: pubescent on outer surface, glabrous on inner surface. Tube: pubescent. Color: Upper lip.When opening: Inner surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 90A. Outer surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 94C flushed 94B. Fully opened: Inner surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 90B. Outer surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 94C flushed 94B. Fading: Inner surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 90B. Outer surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 94C flushed 94B. Color: Lower lip.When opening: Inner surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 90A. Outer surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 94C flushed 94B. Fully opened: Inner surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 90B. Outer surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 94C flushed 94B. Fading: Inner surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 90B. Outer surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 94C flushed 94B. Color: Throat.When opening: Near RHS Violet-Blue 94C with spots Greyed-Purple 187A. Fully opened: Near RHS Violet-Blue 94D with spots Greyed-Purple 187A. Color: Tube.When opening: Inner surface: Near RHS Purple 76C. Outer surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 92B. Fully opened: Inner surface: Near RHS Purple 76D. Outer surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 92C. Fading: Inner surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 91B. Outer surface: Between RHS Violet-Blue 91A and 91B. Bud: Shape.Oblong. Length.6 mm. Diameter.3 mm. Color.Near RHS Violet-Blue 91B. Bracts: Shape.Narrow deltate. Length.7 mm. Diameter.3 mm. Color.Near RHS Green 137C. Texture.Pubescent. Calyx: Shape.Tubular. Length.Approximately 7 mm. Width.Approximately 3 mm. Sepals: Quantity per flower.5. Unfused length.1 to 2 mm. Unfused width.1 to 2 mm. Margin.Lobed, tips acuminate. Apex.Acute. Base.Fused. Texture.Pubescent, all surfaces. Color, upper and lower surfaces.Near RHS Green 137D.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(10) Stamens: Number.4. Filament length.Approximately 3 mm. Filament color.Near RHS Violet-Blue 91D. Anthers: Shape.Globular. Length.Approximately 1 mm. Diameter.Less than 0.1 mm. Color.Near RHS Violet-Purple N92A. Pollen.Color: Near RHS White N155A. Quantity: sparse. Pistil: Number.1. Length.Approximately 1.2 cm. Style.Length: Approximately 9 mm. Diameter: Approximately 1 mm. Color: Near RHS Violet 84C. Stigma.Shape: Cleft. Length: Approximately 1 mm. Color: Near RHS Violet 86A. Ovary color: Near RHS Green 137C.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(11) Disease and pest resistance: Not observed to be susceptible nor resistant to normal diseases and pests of Nepeta faassenii. Temperature tolerance: USDA Zone 5b through 10. Fruit/seed production: Not observed to date.