Agapanthus plant named ‘BNA01’

Abstract

A new and distinct Agapanthus cultivar named BNA01 is disclosed, characterized by a very stable, dark blue flower color. Plants show improved tolerance for extreme Summer heat, as observed in Florida, resisting foliage fading or burn. Plants may re-bloom during late Summer, after the initial large flush in late Spring. The new variety is a Agapanthus, typically produced as an outdoor ornamental plant.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Agapanthus plant named BNA01 as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

(1) The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of BNA01 grown in Loxley, Ala. 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 BNA01 plants grown outdoors in Loxley, Ala. Plants are approximately 1 year old. Temperatures ranged from approximately 4 C. to 25 C. at night and 10 C. to 35 C. during the day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments were given to the plants. No chemical treatments were given to plants. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Botanical classification: Agapanthus africanus BNA01.

PROPAGATION

(3) Root description: Thick, fleshy root system colored near Greyed-Orange 164D and Orange-White 159C.

PLANT

(4) Growth habit: Clump forming tender perennial with arching, pendulous foliage. Height: Foliar plane 38 cm. Flowering plane approximately 62 cm. Plant spread: Approximately 70 cm. Growth rate: Moderate. Growth pattern: The plant grows throughout most of the year but mainly in the Spring and Summer months. This growth is in the form of basal shoots or pups as well as some leaf extension. From approximately early June, flowers start to appear and remain until approximately Late Summer, in the Southern United States.

FOLIAGE

(5) Leaf: Average leaf length.Average range approximately 21 to 32 cm. Average leaf width.Average range approximately 1.8 to 2.8 cm. Arrangement.Basal, irregular whorls. Shape of blade.Linear. Apex.Acute. Base.Cuneate. Margin.Entire. Texture of top surface.Smooth. Texture of bottom surface.Smooth. Quantity of leaves per plant.Average 40 to 55. Color.Mature and young foliage is the same color. Upper blade: Near Green 137A. Lower Blade: Near Green 137A. Venation.Type: Linear. Venation color upper side: Indistinguishable from leaf blade. Venation color under side: Indistinguishable from leaf blade.

FLOWER

(6) Natural flowering season: Beginning in late Spring, lasting until mid to late Summer, in the Southern United States. Length of flowering period: Approximately 9 to 12 weeks. A lesser amount of flower spikes may be produced late Summer, after the initial flower. Inflorescence type: Terminal Umbel with approximately 30 individual flowers and approximately 10 buds. Approximately 8 to 14 umbels produced during the peak flowering season. Individual flower type: Single. Flower profile: Funnelform. Bud: Shape.Ovate. Shape.Narrow ovate. Length.Approximately 1.7 cm. Diameter.Approximately 0.7 cm. Color.Near Violet-Blue N89C, apex near N89A. Base near Violet N88D. Umbel size: Diameter.Average 14 cm. Height.Average 7 cm. Corolla: Arrangement.Apetalous, single, campanulate flowers composed of 6 basally fused tepals, shaped into a flared trumpet. Size.Length: Approximately 3.5 cm. Width: Approximately 1.9 cm at widest point. Lobe Length: Approximately 2.1 cm. Lobe Width: Average range 0.7 to 0.9 cm. Margin.Entire. Shape.Lanceolate. Apex.Broadly acute. Texture.Glabrous all surfaces. Color: Tepals.When opening: Outer surface: Near Violet-Blue N89A. Inner surface: Near Violet N88A. Fully opened: Outer surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue N89C, with center streak near 91A. Inner surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue N89A, with large center streak near 91A. Color Changes when Aging: Outer surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue N89A, with large center streak near 91A. Inner surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue N89B, with faint center streak near 91A. Sepals.Not present. Fragrance: Faint musty scent. Pedicels: Length.Average range 2.5 to 3.0 cm. Width.Approximately 0.2 cm. Aspect.Somewhat undulating. Color.Near RHS Green 137A, lower surface. Upper surface near Yellow-Green 147A, slightly flushed Greyed-Purple N186A. Scape: Length.Average 50 cm. Width.Approximately 0.7 to 0.9 cm. Angle.Upright from center of plant, mainly straight, with slight curvature. Strength.Very strong. Color.Near RHS Green 137A, very slightly flushed near Greyed-Purple N186A. Flower filament color: Near Violet-Blue RHS 90A, lower section near 91A. Flower anther color: Near Greyed-Purple N186A. Flower style color: Near Violet-Blue RHS 90C, lower section near 91C.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(7) Stamens: Number.Average 6. Filament length.Approximately 2.1 cm. Filament color.Near Violet-Blue RHS 90A, lower section near 91A. Anther length.0.2 cm. Anther color.Near Greyed-Purple N186A. Pollen.Scant, colored near Violet-Blue 91C. Pistil: Number.1. Length.Approximately 2.8 cm. Style color.Near Violet-Blue RHS 90C, lower section near 91C. Stigma.Shape: Linear. Color: Near RHS Violet-Blue 91A. Ovary color.Near RHS Yellow-Green 145B.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(8) Seed production: Seed production not observed to date. Disease resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to normal diseases and pests of Agapanthus. Temperature tolerance: Typically USDA zones 7b through 11. Drought tolerance: Will tolerate considerable dryness once established.