<i>Veronica </i>plant named ‘PINK PASSION’

Abstract

A new and distinct Veronica cultivar named PINK PASSION is disclosed, characterized by a strong pink flower color and a long, continuous flowering season. Plants are bushy with prolific branching and observed improved resistance to powdery mildew. The new variety is a Veronica, typically used for ornamental outdoor purposes.

Claims

1. A new and distinct Veronica plant named PINK PASSION as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color inflorescence of the new variety.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates a typical plant of PINK PASSION grown in a greenhouse. Age of the plant photographed is approximately 12 months.

(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 measurement describe PINK PASSION plants at approximately 5 months of age, grown outdoors in East Sussex, United Kingdom, between July and August. The growing temperature ranged from about 0 C. to 32 C. during the day and about - 7 C. to 25 C. night. General light conditions are bright, normal sunlight. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. No growth regulators were used. Botanical classification: Veronica spicata Pink Passion.

PROPAGATION

(5) Time to initiate roots: About 14 days at approximately 20 C. Root description: Fibrous. Tan to brown, not accurately measured with R.H.S. Colour Chart.

PLANT

(6) Plant type: Flowering perennial. Growth habit: Upright and somewhat branching. Pot size of plant described: 25 cm. Height: Approximately 23 to 24 cm. Plant spread: About 32 cm. Growth rate: Moderately vigorous. Branching characteristics: Length of primary lateral branches: Approximately 12 to 16 cm. Diameter of lateral branches: Approximately 0.1 to 0.15 cm. Texture of lateral branches: Smooth. Internode length: About 2 cm. Strength of stem: Rigid. Color of lateral branches: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146C. Aspect/angle of branches: 30 from vertical. Number of leaves per lateral branch: Approximately 4-6.

FOLIAGE

(7) Leaf: Arrangement.Opposite in pairs. Length.Approximately 4.9 cm. Average width.Approximately 1.4 cm. Shape of blade.Elliptic. Apex.Obtuse. Base.Acuminate. Margin.Basal foliage crenate, upper foliage entire. Texture of top surface.Sparsely pubescent. Texture of bottom surface.Sparsely pubescent, more strongly pubescent on midrib. Appearance top surface.Matte. Appearance bottom surface.Matte, slightly glossy midrib. Leaf internode length.Approximately 0.5 to 0.7 cm. Color.Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146B. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 147B. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green NN137B. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137B. Venation.Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 143B. Venation color under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 143C. Petiole: Shape.Flattened. Length.1.8 to 2.0 cm. below lowest flowers. Diameter.0.15 to 0.2 cm. Pubescence.Finely pubescent. Color.Near RHS Yellow-Green 146A, 146C near base.

FLOWER

(8) Natural flowering season: Late Spring through late Summer, flowering continuously. Days to flowering from rooted cutting: 60 days during the Spring season. Flower longevity on plant: 6 to 8 days. Persistent or self-cleaning: Self-cleaning. Fragrance: None. Bud: Bud shape.Lanceolate. Bud length.Approximately 0.4 cm. Bud diameter.Approximately 0.1 cm. Bud color.When first emerging: Between RHS Green-White 157D and White NN155C. When opening: Between RHS Red-Purple 73A and 68A. Opening rate, from bud to fully open.3 to 7 days, depending upon weather. Inflorescence: Arrangement.Terminal raceme. Narrow triangular in shape. Inflorescence height.12.5 cm from bottom of flower to tip. Inflorescence width.2 cm. Quantity of flowers per inflorescence.Approximately 125 to 150. Typical quantity of Inflorescence per plant.90 to 100, with more forming. Individual flower form: Campanulate. Flower: Diameter of entire flower.Approximately 0.8 cm. Length of flower.Approximately 0.9 cm. Petals: Quantity.4. Arrangement.Cruciform, fused at the base. Length.0.6 cm. Width.0.2 cm. Shape.Broadly linear. Apex.Rounded. Base.Fused. Margin.Entire. Texture, upper and lower surfaces.Glabrous. Appearance upper and lower surfaces.Matte. Color.When opening, upper surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 67B. When opening, lower surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 67B. Fully opened, upper surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 68A. Fully opened, lower surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 67C. Fading, upper surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 67C. Fading, lower surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 67C. Corolla tube.Length: 0.3 cm. Color: Interior: Near RHS Red-Purple 68D. Exterior: Near RHS Red-Purple 67C. Calyx/sepals: Shape.4 lobes fused at base to form a tube. Length.Total length approximately 4 mm, lobes 1-2 mm. Width.Approximately 2-3 mm. Texture.Finely pubescent. Color.RHS Green 143C. Peduncle: Peduncle length.Approximately 0.5 to 2.0 cm. Peduncle diameter.Approximately 0.1 to 0.15 cm. Color.Between RHS Yellow-Green 144A and 144B. Peduncle texture.Finely pubescent. Pedicels: Pedicel length.Approximately 0.25 cm. Pedicel diameter.Approximately 0.1 or less cm. Angle.Approximately 30 from attachment. Color.Between RHS Yellow-Green 144A and 144B. Pedicel texture.Finely pubescent. Bracts: Shape.Narrow deltoid. Length.Variable, 5 to 15 mm. Width.Approximately 3-6 mm. Texture.Finely pubescent. Color.RHS Green 143C.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(9) Androecium: Stamens.2. Anther shape.Ovoid. Anther length.Approximately 0.1 cm. Anther color.Near RHS Greyed-Purple 184A. Pollen quantity.Moderate. Pollen color.RHS Yellow 4D. Filament length.0.5 cm. Filament color.Paler than RHS Purple 75D. Gynoecium: Pistil number.1. Pistil shape.Pistil, stigma and style are indistinct but overall shape is filiform. Pistil length.Approximately 0.8 cm. Style length.Approximately 0.3 cm Style color.Near RHS Purple N78A. Stigma shape.Globular. Stigma color.Near RHS Purple N78A. Ovary diameter.0.7 cm. Ovary color.Between RHS Greyed-Green 193A and 194D.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(10) Seeds and fruits: Not observed to date. Disease/pest resistance: Appears to offer above average resistance to powdery mildew during production trials in England. Neither resistance nor susceptibility to normal pests of Veronica. Temperature tolerance: USDA Zones 4 through 8.