<i>Phlox </i>plant named ‘Dophloxearpica’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Phlox plant named Dophloxearpica, characterized by its upright, outwardly spreading and mounding plant habit; vigorous growth habit; early and freely flowering habit; purple violet-colored flowers with red purple to purple-colored centers; and good garden performance.

Claims

1. A new and distinct Phlox plant named Dophloxearpica as illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

(1) The accompanying colored photograph illustrates the overall appearance of the new Phlox plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photograph may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Phlox plant. The photograph comprises a side perspective view of typical flowering plant of Dophloxearpica grown in a container.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(2) The aforementioned photograph and following observations, measurements and values describe plants grown during the summer in 13-cm containers in an outdoor nursery in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands and under cultural practices typical of commercial Phlox production. During the production of the plants, day temperatures averaged 21 C. and night temperatures averaged 15 C. Plants were pinched one time about one week after planting rooted young plants and were three months old when the photograph was taken and 20 weeks old when the description was taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2001 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. Botanical classification: Phlox paniculata Dophloxearpica. Parentage: Naturally-occurring whole plant mutation of a proprietary selection of Phlox paniculata identified as code number PA09-000167-004, not patented. Propagation: Type.By vegetative cuttings. Time to initiate roots, summer.About 16 days at temperatures about 26 C. Time to initiate roots, winter.About three weeks at temperatures about 23 C. Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.About 24 days at temperatures about 23 C. Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.About four weeks at temperatures about 18 C. Root description.Thick, fibrous; typically white in color, actual color of the roots is dependent on substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer type and formulation, substrate temperature and physiological age of roots. Rooting habit.Moderately freely branching; medium density. Plant description: Plant and growth habit.Herbaceous perennial typically grown as a container and garden plant; upright, outwardly spreading and mounding plant habit; vigorous growth habit; moderate growth rate. Plant height.About 26 cm. Plant width (spread).About 30 cm. Lateral branches.Branching habit: Freely branching, about four to five primary lateral branches develop after pinching. Length: About 26 cm. Internode length: About 2 cm to 5 cm. Strength: Strong. Aspect: Upright to outwardly spreading. Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color: Close to 144A tinged with close to 165A. Leaf description: Arrangement.Opposite, simple. Length.About 6 cm to 7 cm. Width.About 2 cm to 3 cm. Shape.Ovate to elliptical. Apex.Acuminate. Base.Attenuate. Margin.Entire. Texture, upper and lower surfaces.Smooth, glabrous. Venation pattern.Pinnate, reticulate. Color.Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to 137A. Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 191A. Fully expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to 139A; venation, close to 144D. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Close to 191A; venation, close to 193B. Petioles.Length: About 2 mm. Diameter: About 2 mm. Strength: Strong, flexible. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Color, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 144D. Flower description: Flower type and flowering habit.Single rotate and salverform flowers arranged in compound terminal and lateral panicles; flowers face mostly upright to outwardly; freely flowering habit with about 50 to 55 flowers per inflorescence and about 1,200 flowers developing per plant during the flowering season. Fragrance.Slightly fragrant, pleasant. Natural flowering season.Early flowering habit, plants begin flowering about ten weeks after planting; plants flower in July in The Netherlands; flowers not persistent. Flower buds.Height: About 1.4 cm. Diameter: About 3 mm. Shape: Conical. Color: Close to 155A becoming closer to 64C with development. Inflorescence height.About 12 cm. Inflorescence diameter.About 11 cm. Flower diameter.About 2.3 cm. Flower depth.About 2 cm. Flower throat diameter.About 2.5 mm. Flower tube length.About 1.4 cm. Flower diameter, proximally.About 2 mm. Petals.Quantity per flower: Typically five in a single whorl; petals fused at the base into a narrow tube. Lobe length: About 9 mm. Lobe width: About 9 mm. Lobe shape: Roughly orbicular. Lobe apex: Rounded. Lobe margin: Entire. Lobe texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Throat texture: Pubescent; slightly rough. Tube texture: Pubescent. Color: When opening, upper surface: Close to 81D; towards the apex and base, close to 74B; towards the margins, close to 155D. When opening, lower surface: Close to 81D; towards the margins, close to 155D. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 81D; towards the margins, close to 155D; at the base, close to 74B; venation, close to 81D; with development, color becoming closer to 81D. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to 81D; towards the margins, close to 155D; venation, close to 81D; with development, color becoming closer to 81D. Throat: Close to 78B; venation, close to 78B. Tube: Close to 78B; venation, close to 78B. Sepals.Quantity per flower: Typically five in a single whorl, fused towards the base; calyx, campanulate. Length: About 7 mm. Width: About 1 mm. Shape: Narrowly deltoid. Apex: Acuminate. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper surface: Smooth, glabrous. Texture, lower surface: Pubescent. Color: When opening and fully opened, upper surface: Close to 146C. When opening and fully opened, lower surface: Close to 146C tinged with close to 187A. Peduncles.Length: About 7 cm to 8 cm. Diameter: About 2 mm. Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: About 45 from lateral branch axis. Texture: Pubescent. Color: Close to 144A tinged with close to 165A. Pedicels.Length: About 4 mm. Diameter: About 1 mm. Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: About 35 from peduncle axis. Texture: Pubescent. Color: Close to 144A. Reproductive organs.Stamens: Quantity per flower: Typically five. Filament length: About 2 mm. Filament color: Close to 155C. Anther length: About 1 mm. Anther color: Close to 8C. Pollen amount: None observed. Pistils: Quantity per flower: One. Pistil length: About 1.7 cm. Stigma shape: Cleft, three-parted. Stigma color: Close to 8C. Style length: About 1.4 cm. Style color: Close to 144D with a purplish blush. Ovary color: Close to 143A. Seeds and fruits.To date, seed and fruit development have not been observed on plants of the new Phlox. Garden performance: Plants of the new Phlox have been observed to have good garden performance and to tolerate rain, wind and temperatures ranging from 20 C. to 35 C. Pathogen & pest resistance: Plants of the new Phlox have not been observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to Phlox plants.