Agapanthus plant named ‘Neverland’

Abstract

A new cultivar of Agapanthus plant named Neverland that is characterized by a compact habit, moderate vigor, variegated leaves with yellow-green margins and mid-green central stripe, and bicolored pale-lilac and mid-blue flowers, is disclosed. In combination these traits set Neverland apart from all other existing varieties of Agapanthus known to the inventor.

Claims

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

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Agapanthus cultivar Neverland showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Photographs were taken in El Campo, Tex. of 24-month old plants grown outdoors in three gallon containers. Colors in the photographs may differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which more accurately describes the actual colors of the new variety Neverland.

(2) FIG. 1 depicts two whole plants of Neverland grown in a three gallon container and flowering for the first time.

(3) FIG. 2 depicts a close-up view of the variegated foliage of Neverland.

(4) FIG. 3 depicts a close-up view of the inflorescence of Neverland.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

(5) The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of Neverland. Observations, measurements, values, and comparisons were collected from plants grown outdoors in El Campo Tex. The plants were 24-months old from a division and were growing in three gallon containers. Additional descriptions were taken from a single plant established in a private garden in Santa Barbara, Calif. grown under conditions of high light, low humidity and minimal water. Under these latter conditions, Neverland has been observed to grow with reduced vigor and reduced overall height. In addition, the colors of the flowers of Neverland appear to have been intensified by the hot dry conditions. Where applicable, color readings in Santa Barbara, Calif. are identified in the description below. Color determinations were made in accordance with The 2007 Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart from London England, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. Classification: Family.Amaryllidaceae. Genus.Agapanthus. Species.Africanus. Common name.Lily-of-the-Nile or Dwarf Lily-of-the-Nile. Parentage: Agapanthus africanus Neverland arose as a chance seedling discovered in a commercial seedling crop of Agapanthus africanus Peter Pan (unpatented). Plant: Use.Ornamental for use in containers and in the landscape. Type.Perennial bulb. Vigor.Moderate. Habit.Compact; foliage initially semi-erect become mounding and weeping. Plant dimensions (after one year, 1 gallon container).55 cm to 60 cm in height including inflorescence; 30 cm in width. Plant dimensions (at maturity, 3 gallon container).55 cm to 60 cm in height including inflorescence; 40 cm to 50 cm in width. Hardiness.Hardy in USDA Zones 7 to 10. Propagation.Asexual propagation is accomplished by division. Root system.Thick and fleshy. Cultural requirements.Well-draining soil, shade to filtered sunlight in order to avoid photo-bleaching in high light conditions, and low to moderate water. Cropping time (range).6 to 9 months to produce a flowering 1 gallon container plant from division; 12 to 15 months if produced in a 3 gallon container. Seasonal interest.Flowers in spring and summer, and variegated foliage year round. Foliage: Foliage type.Evergreen. Foliage canopy dimensions.30 cm in height from soil surface; 30 cm in width after one year, 40 cm to 50 cm in width at maturity. Leaf shape.Lorate. Leaf quantity (range).65 to 70 leaves per plant. Leaf form.Arching. Leaf branching.Basal. Leaf attachment.Sheathing. Leaf apex.Acute. Leaf base.Truncate. Leaf division.Simple. Leaf margin.Entire. Leaf color (both surfaces).Outer margins of leaf blade range between N144D and 154B; center of leaf blades ranges between 137A and 137B, with occasional longitudinal striations of N144D to 154B as margins. Leaf surface (adaxial and abaxial surfaces).Glabrous. Venation pattern.Parallel. Vein color (abaxial and adaxial surfaces).Very faint 144B in outer margins and faint 138C in center. Leaf dimensions (fully developed).35 cm in length and 1.6 cm maximum width. Leaf fragrance.None observed. Inflorescence: Blooming months.March through September. Inflorescence type.Single umbel. Dimensions of inflorescence (average).12 cm to 15 cm in width and 8 cm to 9 cm in height. Flower quantity (mid-season in full flower).Between 60 and 80 flowers per umbel. Persistent or self-cleaning.Self-cleaning. Flower aspect within umbel.Facing outward, ranging between 30 below the horizontal to 45 above the horizontal. Scape or peduncle.Leafless flower stem emerging from base of plant. Scape shape: Cylindrical. Scape texture: Pithy. Scape surface: Glabrous. Scape color: Ranges between 136C and 137A. Scape strength: Strong. Scape dimensions: 45 cm to 50 cm in length and 4 mm to 5 mm in diameter. Pedicel.Pedicel color: Range between 136C and 137A. Pedicel dimensions: 3 cm to 4 cm in length and 2 mm in diameter. Pedicel surface: Glabrous. Bud.Bud shape: Obelliptic. Bud color: 97D; in Santa Barbara, Calif. color is 93C. Bud dimensions (average): 8 mm in length and 5 mm in diameter. Bud apex: Rounded. Bud base: Cuneate. Bud surface: Glabrous. Flower shape.Funnel; unfused tepals widely flared. Flower dimensions.3.5 cm in depth and 3.5 cm in diameter. Petals.Apetalous. Tepal quantity.6. Fused or unfused: Basally fused for one third of length. Tepal shape: Oblanceolate. Tepal margin: Entire. Tepal surfaces (abaxial and adaxial): Glabrous. Tepal color (adaxial surface): Predominantly 95D, except central longitudinal stripe of 95C. Tepal color (abaxial surface): 95C. Tepal color in Santa Barbara, Calif. (adaxial and abaxial surfaces): 97A. except central longitudinal stripe 96B. Tepal dimensions: 3.5 cm in length and 6 mm to 8 mm in width. Tepal apex: Apiculate. Flower fragrance.None observed. Reproductive organs: Stamens.Stamen quantity: 6, adnate to corolla tube. Stamen color: 95B except pale light blue nearest to 106D at base. Stamen dimensions: 1.7 cm in length and 1 mm in diameter. Anther: Anther color: N186C and N200A have both been observed on individual anthers. Anther shape, attachment: Clavate, dorsifixed. Anther dimensions: 2 mm in length, 0.8 mm in width. Pollen color: 7A. Pollen quantity: Sparse, absent on some anthers. Pistil.Pistil quantity: One. Pistil color: 95B. Pistil dimensions: 1.5 cm in length and 1 mm in diameter. Stigma: Minute, capitate, diameter less than 1 mm. Stigma color: 156D. Ovary: Ovary color: 151D. Ovary shape: Trigonous. Ovary dimensions: 8 mm in height and 3 mm in width. Ovary position: Superior. Fruit: Only immature fruit has been observed. Quantity.Sparse, most flowers abort. Fruit shape.Trigonous capsule with three locules. Fruit dimensions.2 cm in length and 7 mm in width. Fruit color.144A becoming 146A. Seed: Seed has only been observed within immature fruit. Quantity.10 to 14 seeds per locule; 30 to 45 seeds per fruit. Shape.Ovoid, flattened with papery wing. Dimensions.2.5 mm in length, 1.5 mm in width. Color.155C. Disease susceptibility: Susceptible to Pythium spp. and Phytophthora spp. Root and stem rots. Pest susceptibility: Protect from slugs and snails.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINE AND KNOWN VARIETIES

(6) Neverland is distinguishable from the parent, Peter Pan as follows. Whereas Peter Pan exhibits entirely green foliage, the new variety Neverland exhibits yellow-green and mid-green variegated foliage. In addition, when comparing plants of like age and production schedule, Neverland is slightly shorter in overall height (including the flowers) and slightly less vigorous in its multiplication than Peter Pan.

(7) Neverland may also be compared with the variegated variety Hinag (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,866). Whereas the foliage of Hinag is variegated with golden yellow margins and dark olive-green central stripes, the margins of Neverland are yellow-green in color and the central stripes are mid-green in color. In addition, in comparison with Neverland, Hinag is a larger and more vigorous plant, with longer and wider leaves.

(8) Neverland may also be compared with the variegated variety Tinkerbell (unpatented). The Agapanthus variety Tinkerbell exhibits cream-white leaf margins, whereas the margins of Neverland are green-yellow in color.