<i>Campanula </i>plant named ‘CHAMELEON BLUE’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Campanula plant named CHAMELEON BLUE is disclosed, characterized by biennial plants producing sterile flowers. The unique new cultivar produces unique color-changing flowers, beginning green and white, gaining more Violet 86D highlight coloration with age. Flowering stems have a vase life of 15 to 22 days. Flowers on the live plants have the novel characteristic of not fading after visits by pollinators. The new cultivar is a Campanula, typically produced as an outdoor ornamental plant or for cut flower purposes.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Campanula plant named CHAMELEON BLUE as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a close up view of a typical flower of CHAMELEON BLUE from a plant of about 200 days old.

(2) FIG. 2. Illustrates a typical flowering stem from CHAMELEON BLUE grown in an unheated greenhouse in the Netherlands. This plant is approximately 200 days old, grown in a 1-gallon container.

(3) The photographs were 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

(4) 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 CHAMELEON BLUE plants grown in the ground in an unheated greenhouse in Angeren, the Netherlands. The plants were about 250 days old. Temperatures ranged from 6 C. to 15 C. at night to 5 C. to 30 C. during the day. No chemical treatments were given to the plants, only biological control for thrips. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Botanical classification: Campanula medium CHAMELEON BLUE.

PROPAGATION

(5) Time to initiate roots: About 5 to 10 days at 15 C. to 20 C. Time to produce a rooted liner: About 35 to 40 days at approximately 20 C.

PLANT

(6) Age of plant described: Approximately 250 days. Growth habit: Plants form a rosette before flower initiation. In Spring shoots arise from the rosette. Height: 70 to 150 cm. Plant spread: 40 cm. Growth rate: Moderate. Main stem characteristics: Length.Average 100 cm. Diameter.2.0 to 2.5 cm at base. Quantity of stems per plant.About 30 to 50 basally emerging stems, lateral branching rare. Color.RHS Green 140D flushed 141 A. Texture.Pubescent. Strength.Very strong. Primary lateral branches: Quantity of primary lateral branches: 6-10. Length of primary lateral branches: 25-40 cm. Characteristics of primary lateral branches: Form.Round. Diameter.0.5-1 cm. Color.RHS Green 140D flushed 141 B. Texture.Pubescent. Strength.Medium. Internode length: Average range 5-7 cm. Root description: Dense, fibrous root system. Roots variably white, not accurately measured with R.H.S. chart.

FOLIAGE

(7) Leaf: Arrangement.At the base very crowded (rosette). On the stems alternate. Quantity.Approximately 150 to 300 per plant. Average length.15 cm. Average width.3 cm. Shape of blade.Ovate-lanceolate. Apex.Acuminate. Base.Attenuate. Margin.Serrate. Aspect.Slightly undulate, pubescent. Texture of top surface.Glabrous. Texture of bottom surface.Glabrous. Color.Young foliage, upper side: Near RHS Green 141D. Young foliage, under side: Near RHS Green 141D. Mature foliage, upper side: Near RHS Green 141A. Mature foliage, under side: Near RHS Green 141A. Venation.Type: Reticulate. Color, upper side: Near RHS Green 140D. Color, under side: Near RHS Green 140D. Petiole: Length.Average 5 mm. Diameter.Average 4 mm. Color.Near RHS Green 140D flushed 141 B. Texture.Pubescent.

FLOWER

(8) Natural flowering season: May and June. Inflorescence: Type and habit.Panicle composed of single campanulate flowers. Height.Average range 50 cm to 80 cm. Diameter.Average range 20 to 30 cm. Flowers per inflorescence.Average range 20 to 30. Individual flower: Rate of flower opening: 30 to 50 days from bud to fully opened flower. Flower longevity on plant: 30 to 40 days. Vase life: 20 to 22 days. Persistent or self-cleaning: Persistent. Attitude: Upwards and slightly outwards. Bud: Shape.Oval. Length.2-3 cm. Diameter.1 cm. Color.RHS Yellow-Green 144D. Flower size: Diameter.8 cm. Depth.4 cm. Throat diameter.2-3 cm. Tube length.4-5 cm. Tube diameter at base.1 cm. Petal lobes and tube: Petal lobes.Typically 5. Length.3 cm. Width.3-4 cm. Shape.Bell shaped. Apex.Rounded. Base.Fused. Texture, outer surfaces.Petal Lobe: Soft, glabrous. Tube: Soft, glabrous. Texture, inner surfaces.Petal Lobe: Soft, glabrous. Tube: Soft, glabrous. Throat: Soft, glabrous. Color.Outer Surfaces: Petal Lobe when opening: RHS Yellow-Green 145A flushed Violet 86D. Tube when opening: RHS Yellow-Green 145A flushed Violet 86D. Petal Lobe fully opened: RHS Yellow-Green 145A flushed Violet 86D. Tube fully opened: RHS Yellow-Green 145A flushed Violet 86D. Inner Surfaces: Petal Lobe when opening: RHS Yellow-Green 145A flushed Violet N88C. Tube when opening: RHS Yellow-Green 145A flushed Violet N88C. Throat when opening: RHS Yellow-Green 145A. Petal Lobe fully opened: RHS Yellow-Green 145A flushed Violet 86D. Tube fully opened: RHS Yellow-Green 145A flushed Violet 86D. Throat fully opened: RHS Yellow-Green 145A flushed Violet 86D. Petal Lobe fading: RHS Yellow-Green 145A. Tube fading: RHS Yellow-Green 145A. Throat fading: RHS Yellow-Green 145A. Sepals: Quantity.5. Length.1.5-2 cm. Width.1 cm. Shape.Ovate. Apex.Acuminate. Base.Obtuse. Margin.Serrate. Texture.Outer Surface: Pubescent, almost bristly. Inner Surface: Smooth. Color.Outer Surface: RHS Green 141A. Inner Surface: RHS Green 141A. Peduncles: Length.1-2 cm. Diameter.3 mm. Angle.About 60 to the lateral branch. Strength.Medium. Texture.Pubescent. Color.RHS Green 140D flushed 141 B. Pedicels: Length.1-2 cm. Diameter.3 mm. Angle.About 60 to the lateral branch. Strength.Medium. Texture.Pubescent. Color.RHS Green 141D.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(9) Stamens: Number per flower.Typically 5. Anthers: Shape.Round. Length.Approximately 1 cm. Color.Near RHS White 155C. Pollen.None. Pistil: Quantity per flower.1. Length.Approximately 2 to 3 cm. Style.Length: Approximately 2 cm. Color: Near RHS White 155D. Stigma.Shape: Orbicular.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(10) Seeds and fruits: Sterile; no seed production. Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to common diseases and pests of Campanula has been observed. Temperature tolerance: Zone 8 hardiness.