Buddleia plant named ‘SMNBDBT’

Abstract

A new and distinct Buddleia cultivar named ‘SMNBDBT’ is disclosed, characterized by a compact plant habit that is dense, round and outwardly spreading. Plants have an overall height of less than two feet. Stems are thick and chunky with short internodes, leaves are coriaceous. Plants are cold-hardy and produce abundant panicles of purple flowers. The new variety is a Buddleia, normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Buddleia davidii plant named ‘SMNBDBT’ as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘SMNBDBT’ grown in the ground, at approximately 2 years of age.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates an inflorescence of ‘SMNBDBT’.

(3) FIG. 3 illustrates a plant of ‘SMNBDBT’ grown in a nursery, in a 2 gallon pot at approximately 2 years of age.

(4) 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

(5) In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 1996 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘SMNBDBT’ plants grown in a poly greenhouse during June, in Grand Haven, Mich. USA. The growing temperature ranged from 18° C. to 27° C. during the day and from 5° C. to 10° C. during the night. General light conditions are natural sunlight. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Botanical classification: Buddleia davidii ‘SMNBDBT’.

PROPAGATION

(6) Type of propagation typically used: Softwood cutting. Time to initiate roots: 14-21 days at 21-29° C. average temperature. Time to produce a rooted young plant: 30 days at 21-29° C. average temperature. Root description: Dense, free-branching, medium thickness, fibrous. Color is white, not accurately described with R.H.S. chart.

PLANT

(7) Age of plant described: 2-3 years from rooted cutting. Plant type: Perennial shrub. Container size of the plant described: Plants in the ground. Appropriate containers: 1, 2, 3, 5 gallon commercial pots. Growth habit: Upright. Overall plant shape: Upright. Height: Average 52.35 cm. Plant spread: 88 cm. Growth rate: Moderate. Plant vigor: Good. Characteristics of primary lateral branches: Quantity.—7. Branching habit.—Upright and slightly outward. Cross section.—Square. Length.—48 cm. Diameter.—4 cm. Color.—Near RHS Greyed-Green 195B. Pubescence.—Present. Dense, short. Stem aspect/angle.—Approximately 45°. Strength.—Good. Internode length: 4 cm.

FOLIAGE

(8) Leaf: Arrangement.—Opposite, single. Average length.—11.6 cm. Average width.—4.2 cm. Shape.—Lanceolate. Apex.—Acute. Base.—Cuneate. Margin.—Slightly undulate and serrate. Texture of top surface.—Softly pubescent with distinct veins. Texture of bottom surface.—Softly pubescent with distinct veins. More pubescent than top surface. Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 139A. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Greyed-Green 194A. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 139A. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Greyed-Green 194A. Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145A. Venation color under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145B. Petiole.—Length: 3.0 mm. Diameter: 2.0 mm. Color: Upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145A. Lower side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146C. Texture: Upper side: Soft and pubescent. Lower side: Soft and pubescent.

FLOWER

(9) Flower arrangement: Cone-shaped panicle. Flower type: Salverform. Flowering habit: Freely flowering on terminal branches, will develop panicles at other nodes after terminal panicle has bloomed. Natural flowering season: Mid-summer to early fall. Inflorescence height: Young.—15.8 cm. Mature.—6.05 cm. Inflorescence width: Young.—2.0 cm. Mature.—4.0 cm. Rate of flower opening: Moderate. Flower longevity on plant: 3-4 weeks. Persistent or self-cleaning: Persistent. Quantity of flowers per inflorescence: Thousands. Bud: Shape.—Linear with protruding orbital cap. Length.—7.0 mm. Diameter.—1.0 mm. Color.—Near RHS Violet-Blue 93A. Flower size: Diameter.—7.0 mm. Length.—7.0 mm. Depth (height).—11.0 mm. Petals: Appearance.—Intense and vibrant. Arrangement.—Whorled. Petal length.—3.0 mm. Petal width.—3.0 mm. Quantity.—4. Texture.—Smooth and soft. Apex.—Obtuse. Shape.—Oblong to obovate. Base.—Slightly acute. Margin.—Faintly undulate. Aspect.—Outward. Petal color: When opening.—Upper surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 93A. Lower surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 90A with near RHS Violet-Blue 93A along edges. Fully opened.—Upper surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 93A. Lower surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 93B with near RHS Violet-Blue 93A along edges. Fading to color.—Upper: Near RHS Violet-Blue 93A. Lower: Near RHS Violet-Blue 93B with near RHS Violet-Blue 93A along edges. Sepals: Quantity per flower.—4. Arrangement.—Fused into calyx tube. Shape.—Lanceolate to Ovate. Length.—2.0 mm. Width.—0.3 mm. Apex.—Acute. Base.—Cuneate. Margin.—Entire/inconspicuous. Texture.—Upper: Slightly pubescent. Lower: Smooth, slightly pubescent. Color.—Upper Surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145C fading to 147C. Lower Surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 148D. Calyx: Shape.—Oblong and unguiculate. Length.—3 mm. Diameter.—1 mm. Peduncle: Length.—1 cm. Diameter.—0.975 cm. Angle.—5-35°. Strength.—Good. Texture.—Smooth, pubescent. Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 145B. Pedicel: Not present. Fragrance: Light floral fragrance with sweet honey scent.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(10) Stamens: Number.—4. Filament length.—0.6 mm. Filament color.—Near RHS White 155B, fading to Yellow-Green 145B. Anthers: Shape.—Lobed. Length.—0.25 mm. Color.—Near RHS White 155B. Pollen.—Quantity: Some. Color: Near RHS Yellow 11C. Pistil: Number.—1. Length.—1 mm. Style.—Length: less than 1 mm. Color: RHS Yellow-green 145A. Stigma.—Shape: Oblong. Color: Near RHS Yellow-green 145A. Ovary Color: Near RHS Yellow-green 144C.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(11) Seeds and fruits: Not observed to date. Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to the normal diseases and pests of Buddleia observed to date. Lowest temperature tolerance: To date in trials −31° C. Highest temperature tolerance: To date in trials 38° C. Garden performance: Good strong, stout stems hold up well to environmental stressors.