<i>Lavandula </i>plant named ‘KERBEEDARK’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Lavandula angustifolia plant named KERBEEDARK is disclosed, characterized, by a compact, bushy and dense plant habit. Plants are free flowering, with uniquely short peduncles and dark violet flowers. The new variety is a Lavandula angustifolia, suitable for outdoor landscape and container use.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Lavandula plant named KERBEEDARK 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 KERBEEDARK grown outdoors in Cambridge, UK. The plant is approximately 1 year old shown in an approximately 10 inch pot.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates a close up view of a typical inflorescence.

(3) FIG. 3 illustrates a comparison with the well-known commercial variety Hidcote. KERBEEDARK is the denser plant on the left side of the photo, Hidcote is on the right.

(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 KERBEEDARK plants grown outdoors in Cambridge, UK. The growing temperature ranged from approximately 0 to 10 C. at night to 10 to 20 C. during the day. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical flowering types. No chemical or photoperiodic treatments were given. Botanical classification: Lavandula angustifolia KERBEEDARK. Age of the plant described: Approximately 17 weeks, in a 2 liter pot.

PROPAGATION

(6) Time to rooting: About 21 days at approximately 20 C. Root description: Fine, well branched, becoming woody with age.

PLANT

(7) Growth habit: Upright, slightly spreading. Dense at full flowering. Height: 16 cm to top of plant plane; 25 cm to top of flowers. Plant spread: 24 cm. Branching characteristics: Moderate branching. Diameter of lateral branches: Approximately 0.2 cm. Texture of lateral branches: Pubescent. Internode length: Approximately 1.1 cm. Strength of stem: Strong. Color of lateral branches: RHS Yellow-Green N148B. Number of leaves per lateral branch: 10.

FOLIAGE

(8) Leaf: Arrangement.Opposite pairs alternate directions up stem. Average length.3.5 cm. Average width.0.6 cm. Shape of blade.Narrowly oblanceolate. Apex.Acute. Base.Cuneate. Attachment.Sessile. Margin.Entire, slight undulation. Texture of top surface.Pubescent. Texture of bottom surface.Pubescent. Color.Young foliage, upper side: RHS Yellow-Green 146A. Young foliage, under side: RHS Yellow-Green 148B. Mature foliage upper side: RHS Yellow-Green 147B. Mature foliage under side: RHS Yellow-Green 147B. Venation.Type: One prominent mid-vein, with a network of smaller veins. Venation color upper side: RHS Yellow-Green 146C. Venation color under side: RHS Yellow-Green 146B. Petiole: Not present.

FLOWER

(9) Bloom period: Naturally blooming June to July. Inflorescence: Form.Small single flower in verticillasters arranged in spikes. Flowers have bracts. Corolla has 2 upper lips and 3 lower lips. Flower spikes: Height.3.7 cm. Diameter.1.8 cm. Shape.Cylindrical. Flowers per spike.Average range of 36 to 56 individual flowers per spike, arranged in 6 to 7 whorls, each whorl having 6 to 8 flowers. Very short distance between whorls, about 2 mm. Flower bud: Height.0.7 cm. Width.0.3 cm. Color.Base RHS Yellow-Green 148D. Covered in hirsute hairs of Violet-Blue N92D. Tip Violet-Blue 90A. Individual flower: Corolla-length of upper lobes (2).0.5 cm. Corolla-length of lower lobes (3).0.3 cm. Corolla-width of upper lobes.0.5 cm. Corolla-width of lower lobes.0.3 cm. Corolla tube length.About 0.3 cm. Shape of upper lobes.2 conjoined lobes, slightly hooded. Shape of lower lobes.3 smaller lobes, fused approximately length. Apex of upper lobes.Blunt and rounded, slightly hooded. Apex of lower lobes.Acute rounded. Texture of corolla.Upper surface: Slightly savoyed, hirsute towards tube of flower. Texture of corolla.Lower surface: Slightly savoyed and hirsute. Color when opening.Upper surface: RHS Violet N88B. Color when opening.Lower surface: RHS Violet-Blue 90C. Color when fully open.RHS Violet-Blue 90B. Corolla tube color.Exterior RHS Violet-Blue 90D. Interior RHS Violet-Blue 91C. Calyx shape.Tube. Calyx width.0.3 cm. Sepal length.0.6 cm. Sepal texture.Very hirsute. Sepal color.Flower open: RHS Violet-Blue N92D. Sepal color.Fully open: RHS Violet-Blue N92D. Inflorescence bracts: Bract width.0.6 cm. Bract height.0.4 cm. Bract color.Near RHS Grey-Brown 199C. Peduncle: Peduncle length.9.2 cm. Peduncle diameter.0.2 cm. Color.RHS Yellow-Green 148B. Texture.Pubescent. Branching.Lateral branching above foliage not observed. Other: Infertile bracts not observed.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(10) Filament length: 0.3 cm. Anther length: 0.2 cm. Anther color: RHS Greyed-Orange 165A. Pollen color: RHS Greyed-Orange 165C. Pollen amount: Very sparse. Pistil length: 0.8 cm. Style length: 0.5 cm. Style color: RHS Greyed-Green 193D. Stigma color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146D.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(11) Fragrance: Strong lavender scent, both flowers and foliage. Disease resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to diseases or pests has been observed in this variety. Drought tolerance and cold tolerance: Hardy perennial. Tolerates high temperature to at least 32 C. Tolerates low temperatures to 12 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.