Veronica plant named ‘Kiss the Sky’

Abstract

A new, distinct Veronica plant as described and illustrated, characterized by the combination of longer stems, longer blue flower spikes, and gray-green.

Claims

1. A new, distinct Veronica plant as described and illustrated, characterized by the combination of longer stems, longer blue flower spikes, and gray-green foliage compared to the seed parent.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) Plants pictured in the drawing were grown for one year.

(2) FIG. 1. Close up of the flower spike.

(3) FIG. 2. A group of plants.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(4) In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (2001). Plants used for the description were grown for one year at a nursery in Hebron, Ill. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plants. Plant: Botanical classification.Veronica hybrid. Parentage.Female (seed parent) Veronica x Spike, Male parent, unknown. Form.Upright. Plant height.75-90 cm from soil to top of flowers; width: 60 cm wide. Growth.Herbaceous perennial, upright, good vigor. Roots.Fibrous. Stem: Form.Cylindrical, branching from the base, no pinching required. Color.Close to N199 A at the base, 147 C at the top half. Surface texture.Glabrous. Length.75-90 cm. Diameter.4 mm wide. Flower stem internode length.3-4 cm. Internode quantity.Typically 5. Foliage: Arrangement.Opposite. Number of leaves per basal stem.12, 6 pairs. Size of leaf.Length: 8-10 cm on average, decreasing in both length and width distally. Width: 3.5 cm. Shape of leaf.Lanceolate. Shape of tip.Acute. Shape of base.Rounded to slightly attenuate. Texture.Glabrous. Margin type.Serrate. Color.Young and Mature leaves: Upper surface: 137 A. Lower surface: close to 148 B. Petioles.Glabrous. Length: 35 mm on average for lower leaves; 10 mm on average for other leaves. Diameter: 2 mm. Color: Adaxial 147 C, Abaxial between 147 b and C. Surface: Adaxial glabrous, Abaxial glabrous. Veins.Pattern: Pinnate with a pronounced mid-vein on the lower surface and depressed on the upper leaf surface. Color: Upper surface: 137 A. Lower surface: 147 C. Flower: Natural flowering season.Continuous from mid to late July into August. Inflorescence type and habit: Branched, terminal spike, no fragrance, flowers last about 5 days on plant. Rate of flower opening: About 25% of flowers open at once, all flowers open in about 4 weeks. Type of flower: Tubular with four petal lobes. Number of flowers: About 75 per spike; about 50 per lateral branch. Inflorescence size: Diameter of an inflorescence.18 mm. Height. 29 cm. Length of terminal spike.29 cm. Individual flower size.7 mm long, 7 mm wide. Peduncle: Length.11 cm. Diameter. 2 mm. Color.148 B with some aging to N199 B at the base. Orientation.Upright with 4-5 secondary peduncles at 30-45. Strength.Strong. Surface.Glabrous Pedicel: Length.1-2 mm long, less than 1 mm wide, close to 0.5 mm, Color. 146 D. Petals: Petal arrangement.One larger above three slightly smaller. Large petal size.7 mm long; 3 mm wide. Small petal size. 7 mm long; 2 mm wide. Margin.Entire. Tip shape.Emarginate upper lip; rounded lower lip. Length.Average upper lip: 3 mm; average lower lip: 3 mm. Width.Average upper lip: 3 mm; average lower lip: 2 mm. Petal quantity.4. Petal texture.Glabrous. Corolla.Length: 3 mm long, width: 3 mm wide, Color: N88 B. Petals.When opening: Upper surface: N88 B. Lower surface: N88 B. Fully opened: N88 B. Lower surface: N88 B. Bud: Shape.Convolute, narrowly oblong, obtuse apex. Length.6 mm. and Diameter. 2 mm. Color N88 B. Calyx: Arrangement.4 free sepals. Height.4 mm. Diameter.1-2 mm. Shape.Free. Sepals.Shape: ovate, acute apex, base fused forming corolla. Size: Average 4 mm long; 1 mm wide. Margin: Entire. Texture: glabrous. Color: Outer surface: N88 B. Inner surface: N88 B. Bracts.None observed. Reproductive organs: Stamens: Number.2. Filament length.7 mm. Anthers.Shape: Basifixed, elliptic. Length: 1-2 mm. Width 1 mm. Color: N85 C. Pollen.Color: white 155 C Amount: low. Pistil: Number.One. Length.7 mm, less than 1 mm wide. Style.Length: 8 mm. Color: N88 B at the top half fading to white at the base. Stigma.Shape: cylindrical. Color: 77 A. Ovary color: N77 C and 147 C at the base. Seeds: Brown and round 2 mm long and 1 mm wide, color 200 B. Disease/pest resistance: No unusual susceptibility to diseases or pests has been noted. Temperature tolerance: Tolerate to heat at least up to 30 C. and cool at least down to USDA Zone 4-8.