<i>Digitalis </i>‘Firebird’

Abstract

A new and distinct Digitalis cultivar named Firebird is disclosed, characterized by plants exhibiting improved Winter hardiness and basal branching without pinching. Plants are taller than known varieties and have a unique flower color combining greyed oranges and reds. The new variety is a Digitalis hybrida, normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Digitalis plant named FIREBIRD as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color typical plants of Firebird grown outdoors in London, United Kingdom. Age of the plants photographed are approximately 26 weeks.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates in full color typical flowers of Firebird.

(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 Colour Chart 2015 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe Firebird plants grown in High Hurstwood, East Sussex, United Kingdom. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Botanical classification: Digitalis x valinii Firebird.

PROPAGATION

(5) Propagation method: Terminal cuttings or tissue culture.

PLANT

(6) Growth habit: Herbaceous perennial with woody stems. Age of plant described: Approximately 6 months. Pot size of plant described: 36 cm container. Height: 120 cm. Plant spread: 50 cm. Vigor: Vigorous. Stem: Basal branching.Yes. Average number of lateral branches.8. Pinching.Yes. Although plants will branch without pinching, trials have shown that a single pinch will improve plant habit with abundant branching. Lateral branch dimensions.Diameter: 6 mm. Length: 32 cm from base to the lowest flower. Stem shape: Round. Stem strength.Strong and rigid. Stem color.Between RHS Green 138B and 138C. Pubescence.Short, finely pubescent.

FOLIAGE

(7) Leaf: Compound or single.Single. Arrangement.Alternate. Attachment.Decurrent. Number of leaves per branch.15 to 20. Margin.Serrate. Surface (abaxial and adaxial).Glabrous. Shape.Oblanceolate to elliptic. Length.27 cm. Width.9 cm. Color.Young leaf upper surface: RHS Yellow-Green 146A and 147B, colors mixed together. Young leaf lower surface: RHS Green 138B. Mature leaf upper surface: RHS Green N137A and Yellow-Green 147A, colors mixed together. Mature leaf lower surface: RHS Greyed-Green 191A. Apex.Apiculate. Base.Cuneate. Pubescence (upper and lower surfaces).Puberulous. Venation pattern.Lacinate. Vein color (upper surface).RHS Yellow-Green N144D. Vein color (lower surface).RHS Yellow-Green 145C.

FLOWER

(8) Natural flower season: May until frost. Time to flower from cutting: 10 to 14 weeks, depending on time of year and growing conditions. Inflorescence type and habit: Raceme. Quantity of flowers: About 60 to 75 per lateral stem. Inflorescence size: Diameter.8 cm. Height.65 cm. Flower aspect: Outward. Flower shape: Bilabiate campanulate, formed of four fused petals. Flower dimensions, fully open: Length.32 to 35 mm. Width.28 to 32 mm. Height.27 to 29 mm. Fragrance: Very mild sweet scent. Bud: Length.21 mm. Diameter.9 mm. Color.When first separated from terminal cluster: RHS Yellow-Green 145B at base, fading to Greyed-Purple 182B at tip. Immediately prior to opening: RHS Yellow-Green 145B at base, fading to Greyed-Purple 184A at tip. Petals: Length.Upper lip: 33 mm. Lower lip: 36 mm. Width, upper and lower.14 mm. Shape.Fused becoming campanulate. Texture.Outer and inner surfaces smooth. Inner surface with fine hairs on lip. Margin.Entire. Apex.Top and bottom lips: Obtuse. Left and right extremities: Acuminate. Base.Fused. Self-cleaning or persistent.Petals self-clean; style persists. Color.When opening, inner surface: All inner surfaces: RHS Yellow-Green 145C to 145D, colors present individually. Upper petal tip: RHS Greyed-Purple 185A. Lower petal spots: RHS Greyed-Purple 187B. Lower petal tip: Between RHS Greyed-Red 178B and 179A. When opening, outer surface: Upper petal: Base RHS Greyed-Orange N167A flushed with Greyed-Red 182A; tip 182A. Lower petal: Base RHS Yellow-Green 145C; tip Greyed-Purple 184A to 184B. Fully open, inner surface: Upper petal: RHS Orange-White 159C, with Orange-Red N34A at tip and midrib. Lower petal: RHS Orange-White 159C at base, fading to Greyed-Yellow 162C at margin and Greyed-Orange 175B at tip. Spots on lower petal: RHS Greyed-Orange 175A. Fully open, outer surface: Upper petal: Base RHS Greyed-Yellow 163C flushed with Greyed-Purple 184B and fading to 184B at the tip. Lower petal: RHS Greyed-Purple 185D fading to 185C at the tip. Sepals: Shape.Quantity per flower: 3, fused to form a tube. Unfused apex. Margin.Entire. Apex.Acute. Texture.Softly pubescent and ridged. Peduncle: Length.Average 26 cm. Diameter.0.2 cm. Color.Near RHS Green NN137C at base, turning 187B near attachment. Shape.Quadrangular and fluted. Orientation.Straight. Occurring at approximately 15 degree angle from center of plant. Strength.Moderately strong. Texture.Sparsely pubescent. Pedicels: Length.Average 0.5 cm. Diameter.0.1 cm. Color.Near RHS Greyed-Purple 187B. Orientation.Straight, approximately 25 degree angle from attachment. Strength.Strong. Texture.Pubescent.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(9) Stamens: Number.2. Length.16 mm. Color.RHS White N155A, fading to Red-Purple 70C at base. Staminode color.RHS Greyed-Purple 183A. Staminode length.3 mm. Pollen.Absent. Pistil: Number.1. Length.4.4 cm. Style.Length: 2 mm. Width: 4 mm. Color: RHS Red-Purple 71D. Ovary: Position.Superior. Shape.Broadly globose. Height.2.5 mm. Diameter.3 mm. Color.RHS Yellow-Green 150B. Surface.Glabrous. Appearance.Semi-glossy.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(10) Seeds and fruits: Not observed. Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to pathogens and pests common to Digitalis have been observed. Temperature tolerance: Hardy to 7 C.