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

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Phlox plant named ‘Dophlearlapop’, characterized by its upright and uniform plant habit; vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate; freely branching habit; early and freely flowering habit; large light purple-colored flowers with reddish purple-colored centers; and good container and garden performance.

Claims

1. A new and distinct Phlox plant named ‘Dophlearlapop’ as illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The accompanying colored photographs illustrate 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 photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Phlox plant.

(2) The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1) is a side perspective view of typical flowering plant of ‘Dophlearlapop’ grown in a container.

(3) The photograph on the second sheet (FIG. 2) are close-up views of typical leaves, flower buds and flowers of ‘Dophlearlapop’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(4) The aforementioned photographs and following observations, measurements and values describe plants grown during the late spring and early summer in 13-cm containers in an outdoor nursery in Straelen, Germany 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 one week after planting rooted young plants and were 14 weeks old when the photographs and the description were taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, Fifth Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. Botanical classification: Phlox paniculata ‘Dophlearlapop’. Parentage: Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of Phlox paniculata identified as code number PA11-000024-001, not patented. Male, or pollen, parent.—Proprietary selection of Phlox paniculata identified as code number PA09-000103-001, 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 and uniform plant habit; vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate. Plant height.—About 24 cm. Plant width (spread).—About 27 cm. Lateral branches.—Branching habit: Relatively freely branching habit; about six primary branches each with about twelve secondary branches developing per plant. Length: About 18 cm. Diameter: About 3 mm. Internode length: About 2.8 cm. Strength: Strong. Aspect: Upright to about 65° from vertical. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; glossy. Color, developing and developed: Close to 143A; at the internodes, close to 187A. Leaf description: Arrangement.—Opposite, simple; decussate. Length.—About 6.7 cm. Width.—About 1.8 cm. Shape.—Lanceolate. Apex.—Acuminate. Base.—Obtuse. Margin.—Entire. Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces.—Smooth, glabrous; semi-glossy. Venation pattern.—Pinnate, reticulate. Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to N137B. Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 138A. Fully expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to N137A; venation, close to N137A. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Close to 138A; venation, close to N137D. Petioles.—Length: About 2 mm. Diameter: About 3 mm. Strength: Strong; flexible. Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; semi-glossy. Color, upper surface: Close to 187A. Color, lower surface: Close to 138A. Flower description: Flower type and flowering habit.—Single rotate and salverform flowers arranged in compound terminal and lateral panicles; flowers face mostly upright to slightly outwardly depending on position on inflorescence; freely flowering habit with about ten flowers per inflorescence and about 1,056 flowers developing per plant during the flowering season. Fragrance.—Slightly fragrant; sweet, pleasant. Natural flowering season.—Early flowering habit; plants begin flowering about ten weeks after planting; plants flower in July in the garden in Germany and The Netherlands; flowers persistent. Flower buds.—Height: About 1.4 cm. Diameter: About 3 mm. Shape: Conical. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: Close to N81A. Inflorescence height.—About 10 cm. Inflorescence diameter.—About 12 cm. Flower diameter.—About 2 cm. Flower depth.—About 1.5 cm. Flower throat diameter.—About 3 mm. Flower tube length.—About 9 mm. Flower diameter, proximally.—About 3 mm. Petals.—Quantity per flower: Typically five in a single whorl; petals fused at the base into a narrow tube. Lobe length: About 1 cm. Lobe width: About 9 mm. Lobe shape: Obovate. Lobe apex: Rounded. Lobe margin: Entire, not undulate. Lobe texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Throat texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Tube texture and luster: Pubescent; matte. Color: Lobe, when opening, upper surface: Close to 85A; towards the throat, close to N82A and N78A. Lobe, when opening, lower surface: Close to N81A and N82B. Lobe, fully opened, upper surface: Close to 77B; towards the throat, close to N74A; venation, similar to lamina colors; colors do not change with subsequent development. Lobe, fully opened, lower surface: Close to N81B and N82B; venation, similar to lamina colors; colors do not change with subsequent development. Throat: Close to N74A; venation, close to N74A. Tube: Close to N77B; venation, close to N77B. Sepals.—Quantity per flower: Typically five in a single whorl, fused towards the base; calyx, tubular. Length: About 9 mm. Width: About 1 mm. Shape: Subulate. Apex: Acuminate. Margin: Entire. Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: When opening, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 144A. Fully opened, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 144A. Peduncles.—Length: About 1.3 cm. Diameter: About 2 mm. Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: About 45° from lateral branch axis. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; glossy. Color: Close to 146A. Pedicels.—Length: About 1 mm. Diameter: About 1 mm. Strength: Weak. Aspect: About 45° from peduncle axis. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; glossy. Color: Close to 144A. Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Quantity per flower: Typically five. Filament length: About 1 mm. Filament color: Close to N77B. Anther size: About 0.5 mm by 1 mm. Anther color: Close to 162B. Pollen amount: None observed. Pistils: Quantity per flower: One. Pistil length: About 1.5 cm. Stigma diameter: About 1 mm. Stigma shape: Three-parted. Stigma color: Close to 145A. Style length: About 1.1 cm. Style color: Close to 145A. Ovary color: Close to 143B. 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 about −30° C. to about 30° C. and to be suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9. Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Phlox have not been observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to Phlox plants.