<i>Sempervivum </i>plant named ‘VS2023-01’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of Sempervivum named VS2023-01 that is characterized by fast-growing single rosette of thick succulent leaves arranged in whorls. In the current year of growth, the leaves of VS2023-01 are dark purple in color with mid green tips. The two year old leaves of VS2023-01 form the lowermost whorls and have developed orange-grey tips. The new foliage growth which emerges in the center of the rosette is green in color. Two year old plants of VS2023-01 develop offsets which may be removed for propagation. VS2023-01 is hardy to USDA Zone 4.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Sempervivum Plant Named VS2023-01 as described and illustrated herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

(1) The accompanying photograph, illustrates a two-year-old plant of VS2023-01 which is growing in a 2-gallon container out of doors in Santa Barbara, California. The photograph was taken in late August 2022.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

(2) The following is a detailed botanical description of the new Sempervivum variety named VS2023-01. Observations, measurements, values and comparisons were collected in Santa Barbara, California in August 2022 from a two-year-old plant which has been grown out of doors in a 2-gallon container. Color determinations are made in accordance with the 2007 edition of The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart from London, England, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The growing requirements of the new variety VS2023-01 are similar to the species.

(3) The observed plant consists of a large central rosette surrounded small offsets attached to the base of the central rosette. The offsets have not been removed. Except where the offsets are described herein, the botanical description is drawn from the central rosette. Botanical classification: Family.Crassulaceae. Genus and species.Sempervivum hybrida. Denomination.VS2023-01. Common names.Stonecrop, Hens and Chicks, Houseleek. Parentage: Female parent.Sempervivum Leopold. Male parent.Unknown. Plant: Habit.Basal rosette. Use.Garden and landscape planting, especially in dry conditions, planted containers. Suggested commercial container size.4-inch container (1-year-old plants), 2-gallon container (2-year-old plants). Propagation method.Removal and rooting of offsets. Rooting system.Fine and fibrous. Root color.NN155C. Vigor.Fast-growing through spring and early summer. Crop time.A 4-inch container will be filled out after four (4) months from planting a rooted offset. A two-gallon container will be filled out after two years from planting a rooted offset. Plant dimensions (two-year-old plant, 2-gallon container).11 cm in height and 17 cm in diameter (excluding offsets) and 23 cm in diameter including the offsets. Cultural requirements.Grown in free-draining soil and water sparingly in morning or evening. Pest and disease resistance.None known to the inventor. Pest and disease susceptibility.None known to the inventor. Hardiness.USDA Zone 4. Stem: Stemless. Foliage: Arrangement.Leaves arranged in whorls. Whorl quantity.15 whorls distinguishable, further whorls are developing in the deep center of the plant. Leaf quantity per whorl.11-15. Leaf attachment.Sessile. Leaf texture.Succulent, fleshy. Leaf division.Simple. Leaf margin.Finely ciliate, hairs evenly spaced 0.25 mm-0.5 mm apart, length 0.25 mm 0.5 mm, angled towards base, color NN155D. Leaf surface: (abaxial and adaxial).Glabrous, semi-glossy. Leaf shape.Obovate. Leaf length (largest leaves).50 mm. Leaf width (largest leaves).22 mm. Leaf thickness (largest leaves).6 mm towards base, 2.5 mm towards apex. Leaf color. Oldest leaves (formed in previous season and comprising the lowermost and largest whorls, both surfaces).59A towards base, 146C in mid-section, ranging between 173C and 170C towards apex. Current year leaves (forming the central and inner whorls, both surfaces).187A except tips towards apex. Tip color 146D. Young leaves within tight rosette, unexposed to sunlight, both surfaces.146D. Leaf apex.Mucronate, spine 2 mm-3 mm in length, soft, spine color 173A except youngest leaves, spine color 146D. Leaf base.Truncate. Venation.Absent. Offsets: Offset description.Offsets emerge in second and subsequent years as whole plant rosettes attached to the base of the primary rosette. Initially, offsets are stemless then developing stems with age. Occasional offsets are borne on stems which originate below the soil surface. Offsets may be removed with stems attached for propagation. Offset quantity.14 on observed plant. Offset stem dimensions (if not removed).Up to 10 cm in length, 4 mm in diameter. Offset dimensions.Ranging between 2 cm and 7 cm in diameter and between 1 cm and 3 cm in height. Offset foliage description.Whorled, older leaves colored 187A except tips 146D, youngest leaves 146D. Inflorescence: No inflorescences have been observed on the two year old plants. Inflorescence type.Terminal cyme. Inflorescence dimensions.6 cm in height, 5 cm in diameter. Blooming season.Late summer or fall. Inflorescence quantity (if present).1 or 2. Inflorescence stems (peduncles).Initially upright, emerging from within the rosette of whorls, not from the base. Stems arch as inflorescence ages and dies. Stem texture.Fleshy, surface downy. Stem dimensions.20 cm-30 cm in length, 3 mm-5 mm in diameter. Stem color.144D-145A. Flower quantity.Approximately 50 per cyme. Flower shape.Stellar, radially symmetrical. Flower dimensions.5 mm in height, 6 mm in diameter. Fragrance.None observed. Lastingness of individual flower (on the plant).10-14 days. Persistent or self-cleaning.Persistent. Bud: Bud shape.Spherical. Bud dimensions (immediately prior to opening).3 mm-4 mm in diameter. Bud surface.Pubescent. Bud apex.Rounded. Bud color.26B. Petals: Petal quantity.16. Petal color (both surfaces).36D, becoming NN155C when flower is fully expanded. Petal shape.Lanceolate. Petal apex.Acute. Petal base.Truncate. Petal margin.Smooth, entire. Petal dimensions.5 mm in length, 1 mm in width. Petal surface texture.Matte, paper-like. Sepals: Sepal quantity.16. Sepal shape.Lanceolate. Sepal color.Ranges between 34A and 34C except 46A towards apex. Sepal apex.Acute. Sepal base.Truncate. Sepal margin.Smooth, entire. Sepal dimensions.3 mm-4 mm in length, 1 mm in width. Sepal surface texture.Matte, abaxial surface pubescent. Pedicel: Pedicel shape.Cylindrical. Pedicel color.34C. Pedicel surface texture.Glabrous. Pedicel dimensions.8 mm in length and 2 mm in width. Reproductive organs: Stamens.24-32 in number, arranged in one or two concentric rings around central pistil cluster. Filaments.3 mm-4 mm in length, color 46B. Anthers.Develop within orange-red membrane, color 45C. Pollen.Appears as membrane is shed, color 9A and bright, quantity moderate. Pistils.Approximately 12 in number. Style.Approximately 3 mm in length, color 17C. Stigma.Conical, color 34C. Ovary.Not observed. Seed: Extremely fine, dust-like, color dark grey.