Salvia ‘SSLRO09-0’

Abstract

A new and distinct Salvia cultivar named SSLRO9-0 is disclosed, characterized by a very compact plant form, early flowering and abundant rose pink colored flowers. The new variety is a Salvia nemorosa, normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Salvia plant named SSLRO9-0 as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

(1) The accompanying photograph illustrates in full color a typical plant of SSLRO9-0 grown in a greenhouse, in Santa Paula, Calif., in a commercial 35 cm container. The photograph was 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

(2) In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe SSLRO9-0 plants grown in a greenhouse in Santa Paula, Calif. The growing temperature ranged from approximately 10 C. to 30 C. The greenhouse is un-shaded, giving bright, normal sunlight conditions. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Botanical classification: Salvia nemorosa SSLRO9-0 Swifty Rose Multiflora.

PROPAGATION

(3) Root description: Fine, densely fibrous. Colors include RHS Yellow-White 158D and Orange-White 159C. Grey-Brown 199A and 199B for older roots.

PLANT

(4) Growth habit: Upright and mounding. Compact. Pot size of plant described: 40 cm diameter pot. Height: Approximately 16 cm to top of foliage. Approximately 30 cm to top of flowering plane. Measured from soil level of pot. Plant spread: Approximately 55 cm. Growth rate: Moderate. Branching characteristics: Well branched. Average 4 branches emerging from a pinch, which branch into another 4 primary lateral branches. Length of primary lateral branches: Approximately 8 cm, then forming more branches. Diameter of lateral branches: Approximately 0.4 cm. Quantity of lateral branches: About 40 to 48. Stem: Color.Near RHS Green 138A. Texture.Pubescent and ribbed. Internode length: Average range 1.5 cm. Age of plant described: Approximately 25 weeks from 5 rooted cuttings.

FOLIAGE

(5) Leaf: Arrangement.Opposite. Quantity.Average range 10 to 14 fully expanded per main branch. Average length.Average range 5.3 to 6.2 cm. including petiole. Average width.Approximately 1.8 cm. Shape of blade.Narrow deltoid to oblong. Apex.Acute. Base.Cordate. Attachment.Stalked. Margin.Crenate. Texture of top surface.Matte, glabrous. Shallow reticulate. Texture of bottom surface.Matte, glabrous, reticulate. Color.Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137C. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Green 138B. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Green 138B. Venation.Type: Reticulate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145B. Venation color under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145B. Petiole.Average Length: Average range 0.2 to 0.4 cm. Occasionally 1.0 cm. Diameter: Approximately 0.2 cm. Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144C.

FLOWER

(6) Natural flowering season: Flowering from early Spring through late Summer. Inflorescence type and habit: Flowers arranged in verticillasters on spikes. Flower longevity on plant: Individual flowers last approximately 7 to 10 days on the plant. Each spike lasts approximately 4 to 6 weeks with flowers. Corolla self-cleaning, calyx persistent. Quantity of flowers: About 30 to 48 fully flowers per spike. Mature plants have approximately 30 to 50 spikes. Spike size: Diameter.Approximately 2.9 cm. Height.Average range 6.0 to 12.0 cm. Individual flowers: Size: Diameter.Approximately 1.1 cm. Length.Approximately 1.5 cm. Fragrance: Moderately strong musty scent. Corolla: Petal arrangement.The corolla is sympetalous and typically bilabiate with 2 small, fully fused lobes forming a single upper lip and 3 larger fused lobes forming a lower lip. Margin.Entire. Tip shape.Upper lip tip obtuse, lower lip tip retuse. Length.Upper lip Approximately 0.8 cm. Lower lip Approximately 0.6 cm. Tube length Approximately 0.5 cm. Width.Upper lip: Approximately 0.5 cm, lower lip Approximately 0.6 cm. Tube width: Approximately 0.5 cm. Texture.Upper lip: Glabrous all surfaces. Lower lip: Glabrous all surfaces. Color: Upper Lip: When opening.Inner surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 73C. Apex Red-Purple 71A. Outer surface: Near RHS Red-Purple N74D flushed N74C. Apex Red-Purple 71A. Fully opened.Inner surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 73D flushed N74D. Outer surface: Near RHS Red-Purple N74D. Fading.Inner surface: Near RHS Purple 75D. Outer surface: Near RHS Purple 75C flushed N74D. Color: Lower Lip: When opening.Inner surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 73C. Thin margin Red-Purple 71C. Outer surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 73C. Thin margin Red-Purple 71C. Fully opened.Inner surface: Near RHS Red-Purple N74C. Outer surface: Near RHS Red-Purple N74D. Fading.Inner surface: Near RHS Purple 75D. Outer surface: Near RHS Purple 75C flushed N74D. Color: Tube: When opening.Inner surface: Near RHS White N155D. Outer surface: Near RHS White N155D. Fully opened.Inner surface: Near RHS White N155D. Outer surface: Near RHS White N155D. Fading.Inner surface: Near RHS White N155D. Outer surface: Near RHS White N155D. Bud: Flower bud includes immature calyx which completely surrounds immature corolla. Shape.Ovoid. Length.Approximately 0.7 cm. Diameter.Approximately 0.3 cm. Color.Near RHS Red-Purple 72C. Calyx: Length.Approximately 0.6 cm. Diameter.Approximately 0.4 cm. Shape.Tubular. Sepals: Shape.Quantity per flower: 3, fused to form a tube. Unfused apex. Length.Approximately 0.2 cm unfused portion. Width.Approximately 0.2 cm. Margin.Entire. Apex.Acute. Texture.Softly pubescent. Color.Immature: Near RHS Green 138A flushed Purple N79C. Mature: Near RHS Green 138A, apex lightly flushed Purple 77A. Peduncle: Length.Average range 1 to 2.0 cm. Diameter.0.3 cm. Color.Near RHS Green 138A. Orientation.Straight, approximately 15 degree angle from center of plant. Strength.Strong. Texture.Softly pubescent, ridged. Pedicels: Length.Average 0.1 cm. Diameter.0.1 cm. Color.Near RHS Green 138A flushed Purple N79C. Orientation.Straight, approximately 45 degree angle from attachment. Strength.Flexible. Texture.Pubescent.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(7) Stamens: Number.2. Filament length.Approximately 0.8 cm. Filament color.Near RHS Red-Purple N74D. Anthers: Shape.Linear. Length.0.2 cm. Color.Near RHS Purple N79B. Pollen.Scant pollen observed, colored near RHS Purple N77D. Pistil: Number.1. Length.Approximately 1.2 cm. Style.Length: Approximately 0.7 cm. Color: Near RHS Red-Purple 73D, upper section 73C. Stigma.Shape: Forked. Color: Near RHS Red-Purple 71A. Ovary: Colored near RHS Green-White 157A, oblong, approximately 0.2 cm long and 0.2 in diameter.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(8) Seeds and fruits: Not observed to date. Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to pathogens and pests common to Salvia nemorosa have been observed. Temperature tolerance: The new variety tolerates temperatures within USDA zones 3 to 9.