<i>Salvia </i>plant named ‘DSALAXBL’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Salvia plant named DSALAXBL is disclosed, characterized by early flowering on compact, upright plants. Plants flower abundantly, producing violet-blue flowers with uniquely colored sepals of purple and green. The new variety is a Salvia, normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Salvia plant named DSALAXBL 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 DSALAXBL grown in 25 cm pot outdoors in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. Age of the plant photographed is approximately 4 months from a rooted cutting.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates multiple inflorescences from the same plant as FIG. 1.

(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 Mini Colour Chart 2005 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe DSALAXBL plants grown in the Autumn, to Spring in moderate climate in a greenhouse, in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. during the night. General light conditions are bright, normal sunlight. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Botanical classification: Salvia nemerosa DSALAXBL.

PROPAGATION

(5) Type of propagation typically used: Vegetative cuttings. Time to initiate roots: 5-7 days at approximately 18-24 C. Time to produce a rooted cutting: About 10-14 days at 18-24 C. Root description: Moderately dense and fibrous. Medium brown in color, not accurately measured with R.H.S. chart.

PLANT

(6) Overall plant shape or growth habit: Compact, spreading and upright. Plant spread: Approximately 30-35 cm. Plant height: Approximately 25-30 cm. Growth rate: Moderate to fast. Length of primary lateral branches: Approximately 12 cm. Diameter of lateral branches: Approximately 0.4 cm. Quantity of lateral branches: About 15. Color.Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B. Texture/pubescence.Silky and smooth, velvet like short hairs, stems are slightly ribbed lengthwise. Internode length: Approximately 5 cm. Age of plant described: Approximately 12 weeks from a rooted cutting.

FOLIAGE

(7) Leaf: Arrangement.Opposite. Quantity.Approximately 6-8 per main branch. Average length.Approximately 4 cm. Average width.Approximately 1.5 cm. Shape of blade.Triangular. Apex.Rounded. Base.Some are uneven, some are heart-shaped. Attachment.Normal. Margin.Scalloped. Texture of top surface.Slightly coarse due to immersed venation. Texture of bottom surface.Slightly coarse due to immersed venation. Color.Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146B. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144A. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green N137A. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137B. Venation.Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 147D. Venation color under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 147C. Petiole.Average Length: Approximately 1 cm. Diameter: Approximately 0.2 cm. Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145C.

FLOWER

(8) Natural flowering season: Under moderate climate such as in Israelfrom end of Winter to late Fall (February-November). Under cooler weather condition will flower from April to September. Inflorescence type and habit: Verticillasters, oblong, narrow, and upright habit. Flower longevity on plant: About 5 days. Quantity of flowers: About 30 blooming spikes per plant. Inflorescence size: Diameter.Approximately 2 cm. Height.Approximately 15 cm. Flowers and buds per inflorescence.Approximately 30-34. Peduncle: Length.3.5 cm. Diameter.0.2 cm. Texture.Silky and smooth, velvet like short hairs, stems are slightly ribbed lengthwise. Color.Near RHS Yellow-Green 146B. Orientation.Upright. Strength.Strong and flexible. Petal arrangement.The corolla is sympetalous and typically bilabiate with 2 small, highly fused lobes forming an upper lip and 3 (2 small on the sides, one large in the middle) larger highly fused lobes forming a lower lip. Individual flowers: Diameter.Approximately 0.5 cm. Length.Approximately 1 cm. Persistence.Non-persistent. Fragrance.None. Petals: Margin.Entire. Tip shape.Upper lip: Rounded. Lower lip: Blunt. Length.Upper lip: 0.5 cm. Lower lip: 0.2 cm. Tube: 0.3 cm. Width.Upper lip: 0.2 cm. Lower lip: 0.6 cm. Tube: 0.1-0.2 cm. Texture.Upper lip: Smooth, slightly pubescent, matte. Lower lip: Smooth. Tube: Smooth, transparent, slightly ribbed lengthwise. Color.Upper Lip, when opening: Near RHS Violet-Blue N89D. Upper Lip, fully opened: Inner surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue N89D. Outer surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue N89C. Lower Lip, fully opened: Inner surface: Near RHS Violet N88A. Outer surface: Near RHS Violet 90A. Tube, fully opened: Inner surface: Near RHS White N155C. Outer surface: Near RHS White N155C. Bud: Shape.Claviform. Length.0.6 cm. Diameter.0.2 cm. Color.Near RHS Violet N88A. Sepals: Shape.2 lobes fused at base to form a tube. Length.Approximately 0.7 cm. Width.Approximately 0.4 cm. Margin.Entire. Texture.Lightly pubescent with soft, short feather-like hairs. Color.RHS Purple N77A mixed with Green N137A.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(9) Stamens: Number.2. Filament length.Approximately 0.7 cm. Anthers: Shape.Oblong. Length.Approximately 0.15 cm. Color.RHS Purple 79B. Pollen.Moderate quantity. Pollen color.Near RHS Purple 79D. Pistil: Number.1. Length.Approximately 1.2 cm. Style.Length: Approximately 1 cm. Color: RHS Purple 76C. Stigma.Shape: V-shaped. Color: RHS Violet-Blue N89A. Ovary color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146C.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(10) Seeds and fruits: Up to four seeds per fruit, colored near RHS Brown Group N200A. Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to normal diseases and pests of Salvia has been observed. Temperature tolerance: USDA Zones 4-9 Drought tolerance: Not tolerant to drought.