Salvia plant named 'Little Night'

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: The ornamental plant variety of this invention is botanically identified as Salvia nemerosa (superba).

Variety denomination: The variety denomination is ‘Little Night’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct plant variety of Salvia nemerosa (superba), more commonly known as European Meadow Sage. The new variety has dwarf-like characteristics, including: compact growth habit; short, compact flowering stems (spikes); and small-sized foliage.

European Meadow Sage is a perennial, ornamental plant used in garden landscapes. Its attractive violet-blue flowers and adaptation to a variety of soil conditions, including clay, contribute to its broad market appeal and utilization.

Discovered and asexually propagated by the inventor, ‘Little Night’ was selected from a cultivated area in a residential garden located in Salt Lake City, Utah on Jun. 8, 2011. While the exact parentage of the present invention is uncertain, ‘Little Night’ is likely an un-hybridized garden seedling of Salvia nemerosa (superba) ‘May Night’. This statement is based on the observation of the surrounding plants where the invention was discovered in that ‘May Night’ was the only species of salvia plants in the area. ‘Little Night’ distinguished itself from the surrounding seedlings through its much smaller mature-sized stems and the shorter length of flower spikes.

In July 2011, the discovered invention was transported and replanted into a pot and cultivated in a greenhouse located in Santa Fe, New Mexico where it was observed for two years. Propagation via vegetative cuttings began in August of 2011 under the direction of the inventor of the present invention. The method utilized softwood cuttings dipped in a standard-strength rooting hormone. The cuttings were then placed under intermittent mist for approximately 4 weeks until they rooted. This testing was repeated in professional nursery settings in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Landenberg, Pa. Propagation testing continued through two generations and the testing demonstrated that the distinct characteristics described herein are true-to-type and transmissible by asexual reproduction with uniformity and stability.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits represent the characteristics of the new variety ‘Little Night’. These traits in combination distinguish this variety from all other commercial varieties known to the inventor.

- 1. Dwarf, compact habit;
- 2. Short, compact flowering stems (spikes) with small-sized foliage; and
- 3. Dark violet flowers.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety have not been applied for and ‘Little Night’ has not been offered for sale more than a year before the filing date of this application. ‘Little Night’ has not been promoted under any other breeder's reference or cultivar name.

Plants of ‘Little Night’ have not been observed under all possible environmental and cultural conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions, for example, with fluctuation in temperature, soil chemistry, and photoperiod without, however, any variance in genotype.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH(S)

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall, typical appearance of the new and distinct salvia plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of conventional photography. Due to color variation reproduced in the photographs, color characteristics of this new variety should be determined with reference to the observations described herein, rather than a reliance on the photographs alone. Photographs were taken outdoors in May and June 2014 unless otherwise indicated. The different photographs are intended to represent the distinctive characteristics of ‘Little Night’.

FIG. 1 (taken in April 2014) is a close up view of the flower spikes and leaves.

FIG. 2, taken indoors under natural light in a greenhouse setting, demonstrates the size of 18 month-old plants growing in #1 gallon pots as compared to the size of a felt-tip marker.

FIG. 3 is a close-up of the foliage.

FIG. 4 demonstrates the overall habit and coloration of the invention.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of the new variety ‘Little Night’. Data was collected from a plant approximately 18 months-old in June 2014. The color determinations are in accordance with the 2007 edition of The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart published by The Royal Horticultural Society (London, England), except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used and color readings were observed under natural, outdoor light.

TABLE 1

VARIETY DESCRIPTION

Classification:

Botanical:

Salvia Nemerosa (superba)

Common:
European Meadow Sage

Parentage:

Parent One:
Unknown, likely the

commercially available,

Salvia Nemerosa (superba)

named ‘May Night’

(unpatented)

Parent Two:
Unknown

Propagation:

Vegetatively

Plant:

Ploidy:
Diploid

Height, unpruned (m):
Short, 15.5 to 18.0 cm (stems)

and 25.5 to 28.0 cm (flower

spikes)

Spread (cm):
36.0 to 46.0 cm

Vigor:
Moderate

Growth habit:
Compact, upright growing

stems and flower spikes

Life cycle duration:
Perennial

Cold tolerance:
USDA zone 4

Optimal temperature
Very tolerant of a wide range

range:
of growing temperatures

Lateral Branch:

Quantity per plant:
8 to 12

Strength:
Strong

Length, from point of
5.0 to 20.0 cm

attachment of the upper

lateral branch to the

top (cm):

Diameter (mm or cm):
2.0 mm measured from base

of lateral branch

Texture:
Smooth and slightly pubescent

Color:
RHS Green 143B

Internode length (cm):
1.5 to 3.0 cm

Internode color:
RHS Green 143B

Leaves:

Quantity of leaves per
12 to 20

lateral branch, average:

Arrangement:
Opposite, decussate

Size (lamina average):

Length (mm):
40.0 mm

Width (mm):
Medium,

15.0 mm

Type:
Simple

Shape:
Oblong to lanceolate at top

Apex:
Rounded to acute at top

Base:
Cordate to oblique rounded

Margin:
Crenate

Cross section:
Flat

Leaf blade length (mm):
10.0 to 30.0 mm (at top);

40.0 to 50.0 (at base)

Leaf blade width (mm):
12.0 to 20.0 mm

Venation:
Slightly reticulate on bottom

Surface:

Upper surface texture:
Glabrous and slightly grooved

Lower surface texture:
Net veined and slightly pubes-

cent especially on veins

Petiole:

Shape:
Straight with slight flare at

stem attachment on lower

leaves, petiolate on lower

leaves only and upper leaves

are sessile

Thorns, Spines:
Absent

Length (mm):
2.0 to 20.0 mm

Width (mm):
1.0 to 2.0 mm

Flowers:

Inflorescence Type:
Verticillaster

Age of plant when
12 months

first bloom:

Bloom habit
Recurrent

(frequency in the season):

Time of year for
Late spring (mid-May in

first bloom:
USDA zone 6)

Length of blooming
4 weeks

time (days):

Color:

Upon opening:
RHS Violet N-88A

Aged:
RHS Purple-Violet N82-A

New bracts upon opening:
RHS Red-Purple 72-A

Aged bracts:
RHS Green 143B

Structure (eg. Complete):
Complete, bilabiate

Average size:

Length (mm):
10.5 mm

Width (mm):
7.0 mm

Arrangement:
Whorled around central axis

of stem

Type:
6 per false whorl

Fragrance:
None

Bud:

Shape:
Rounded to scale-like

(immature), round (mature)

Length (mm):

Immature:
2.5 mm

Mature:
5.5 mm

Width (mm):

Immature:
1.25 mm

Mature:
2.6 mm

Color, mature
RHS Green 143B tipped with

(before opening):
RHS Violet N88B

Petal:

Number, average:
5

Arrangement:
Bilabiate

Length (mm):

Posterior lip:
8.2 mm

Anterior lip:
6.8 mm

Width (mm):

Posterior lip:
1.1 mm

Anterior lip:
3.8 mm

Shape:
Bilabiate:
fused at bottom,

zygomorphic

Apex shape:
Rounded

Base shape:
Fused into tube

Margin:
Smooth

Pubescence:
Sparsely pubescent on

exterior of petal

Color:
RHS Violet N88A

Throat:

Length (mm):
4.3 mm

Width (mm):
1.7 mm

Sepals:

Number (per flower):
5

Shape:
Slightly bilabiate

Length (mm):
5.5 mm

Width (mm):
2.25 mm

Apex:
Lanceolate

Texture:
Smooth

Peduncle:

Length (mm):
12.0 to 18.0 mm

Diameter (mm):
2.0 to 2.5 mm

Angle:
180°

Texture:
Stem-like, smooth with slight

pubescence

Pedicel:

Length (mm):
1.0 mm

Width (mm):
0.7 mm

Calyx:

Shape:
United at base with lance-

olate tips, slightly bilabiate

Length (mm):
5.5 mm

Diameter (mm):
1.0 mm

Reproductive

Organs:

Fertility, self:
No

Stamen:

Number:
2

Length (mm):
1.5 mm

Anther:

Length (mm):
0.5 mm

Width (mm):
0.1 mm

Filament length (mm):
1.0 mm

Pistil

Number:
1

Length (mm):
11.0 mm

Style

Length (mm):
8.0 mm

Width (mm):
0.4 mm

Ovary

Shape:
Round

Diameter (mm):
0.85 mm

Pollen

Amount:
Minimal

Color:
Yellow

Seed

Quantity:
Up to 4 per flower

Shape:
Round

Texture:
Hard, smooth

Color:
Light brown

Diameter (mm):
1.3 mm

Fruit

Type:
Schizocarp

Diameter (mm):
2.2 mm

Best mode growing conditions:
- - Soil conditions.—Grows well in all types of soil conditions, including clay.
  - Water use/drought tolerance.—Drought tolerant, xeric when planted in the ground.
  - Fertilization.—None required for propagation, add standard water soluble 15-15-15 or similar formulation weekly during growing season.

Known pest susceptibility: Spider Mites

Comparison to similar varieties: In comparison to the likely parent (Parent One), a commercially available, unpatented variety of Salvia nemerosa (superb) named ‘May Night’, the growth habit of the said invention, 230 ‘Little Night’, is much more compact. ‘Little Night’ also has shorter, more compact flowering stems (spikes) and smaller foliage size. Parent Two is unknown; therefore, no comparison can be made. ‘Little Night’ differs from the commercially available Salvia nemerosa named ‘Haeumanarc’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,322) in that the flowers of ‘Little Night’ are 235 a much darker violet, the flower spikes are more compact, the plant height in the flower and stem portions are shorter than ‘Haeumanarc’ by a few centimeters, and the parentage is different.

Salvia plant named 'Little Night'

Information

Publication Number

Date Filed

Date Published

Inventors

Original Assignees

US Classifications

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims