<i>Agapanthus </i>plant ‘ALTBLOOM’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Agapanthus plant named ‘ALTBLOOM’ is disclosed, characterized by a dwarf growth habit, early blooming and large inflorescences resulting in more flowers per plant. The new variety is an Agapanthus, typically produced as an ornamental plant.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Agapanthus plant named ‘ALTBLOOM’ as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color typical plants of ‘ALTBLOOM’ grown in a commercial hoop-house in Vista, Calif. The plants are approximately one year old, grown one-gallon pots.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates a comparison of an inflorescence from the new variety ‘ALTBloom’ on the left and an inflorescences of the comparator ‘Peter Pan’ on the right. Inflorescences were harvested from plants grown under the same conditions, at approximately 1 year old.

(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 a ‘ALTBLOOM’ plant. This plant was grown in a greenhouse in a commercial 1-gallon pot, in Vista, Calif. Plants are approximately 1 year old. Temperatures ranged from 15° C. to 40° C. during the day, and from 10° C. to 25° C. at night. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments were given to the plants. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Botanical classification: Agapanthus hybrid ‘ALTbloom’.

PROPAGATION

(5) Propagation method: Tissue Culture. Time to produce a rooted liner: 75 to 100 days at approximately 23° C. Root description: Long single root with limited branching.

PLANT

(6) Age of plant described: 240 days from a rooted cutting. Growth habit: Clump forming tender perennial with arching, pendulous foliage. Plants evergreen to about −5° C. Height: Foliar plane 18 to 22 cm. Flowering plane up to 5 cm. Plant spread: Approximately 30 to 35 cm. Growth rate: Moderate.

FOLIAGE

(7) Leaf: Arrangement.—Basal whorls. Quantity.—Average 20. Average length.—16 to 20 cm. Average width.—1.8 cm. Shape of blade.—Linear. Apex.—Acute. Base.—Truncate, non-clasping. Margin.—Entire. Aspect.—Slightly recurved. Venation pattern.—Linear. Texture of top surface.—Glabrous. Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous. Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137C. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137C. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137C. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137C.

FLOWER

(8) Natural flowering season: Begins flowering early June in Southern California. Length of flowering period: Approximately 8 weeks. Inflorescence type: Terminal Umbel with approximately 30 individual flowers and 10 buds. Individual flower type: Single. Flower profile: Funnelform. Lasting quality: Inflorescence shows no significant signs of aging for approximately 5 to 6 weeks. Bud: Measured at approximately 2 to 5 days from opening. Shape.—Narrow ovate. Length.—Approximately 3.2 cm. Diameter.—Approximately 0.7 cm. Color.—Near RHS Violet-Blue 9A, light, thick streaks near Violet-Blue 90B. Umbel size: Diameter.—Average 12 cm. Height.—Average 7 cm. Corolla: Arrangement.—Apetalous, single, campanulate flowers composed of 6 basally fused tepals, shaped into a flared trumpet. Length.—Approximately 4 cm. Width.—Approximately 3.5 cm at widest point. Lobe length.—Approximately 2.6 cm. Lobe width.—Average 0.7 cm. Margin.—Entire. Shape.—Lanceolate. Apex.—Broadly acute or obtuse. Texture.—Glabrous all surfaces. Color: Tepals.—When opening, upper surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 97A, strong central streak near 93B. When opening, lower surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 94D, strong central streak near 93B. Fully opened, upper surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 94C, strong central streak near 93B. Fully opened, lower surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 94D, strong central streak near 93C. Sepals: Not present. Perianth tube: Length.—2 cm. Width.—5 mm. Color.—Inner surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 92D. Outer surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 94C.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(9) Stamens: Protrusion.—Weak protrusion past the floral lobe apex. Filament color.—Upper section near RHS Violet-Blue 92A; lower section near 91D. Anthers: Quantity.—6. Length.—Approximately 3 mm. Color.—Near RHS Violet-Blue N92B. Pistil: Number.—1. Length.—Approximately 3.2 cm. Style.—Color: Near RHS Violet-Blue 92B. Stigma.—Shape: Linear. Color: Near RHS Violet-Blue 93B. Scape: Length.—30 to 35 cm. Width.—7 to 10 mm. Texture.—Glabrous. Color.—Near RHS Green 143C. Pedicel: Length.—1.6 to 2.5 cm. Width.—2 mm. Texture.—Glabrous. Color.—Near RHS Green 143C. Fragrance: None.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(10) Seeds: Not observed. Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to normal diseases and pests of Agapanthus. Temperature tolerance: Not tested but expected to tolerate −5° C. to about 40° C. Drought tolerance: Will tolerate considerable dryness once established.