Polemonium plant named ‘Heaven Scent’

Abstract

A new, distinct Polemonium plant as shown and described, characterized by red new growth to the foliage in spring, grape scented flowers and a medium height.

Description

Latin name: Polemonium.

Cultivar name: ‘Heaven Scent’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct hybrid of Polemonium plant named ‘Heaven Scent’ characterized by red new growth in the foliage in spring, grape scented flowers and a medium height compared to the parents. The new Polemonium was raised as a seedling from a controlled cross of Polemonium reptans, not patented, and Polemonium yezoense ‘Purple Rain’, not patented, in Hebron, Ill. in 2004. The selection of the new plant was due to its' red new growth in the foliage, grape scented flowers and a medium height compared to the parents. Sterile, asexual division, and tissue culture have been the means of reproduction. Division propagation has taken place at a nursery Hebron, Ill. since 2005. The new Polemonium has shown to be stable and identical in reproduction to the parent after dividing over 60 plants resulting in over 700 divisions from 2005 to 2007. The plant is also being tissue cultured at a nursery in Zeeland, Mich. where over 5,000 plants have been grown out.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, color references are made to the Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart. The new Polemonium plant named ‘Heaven Scent’ characterized by red new growth in the foliage in spring, grape scented flowers and a medium height compared to the parents have been observed to be unique and stable.

Plants of the new Polemonium can be compared to plants of the male or pollen parent Polemonium reptans. 1. The new plant is a hybrid and does not produce seed while the species is fertile and produces seed. 2. The new Polemonium has red new growth RHS color 200A while the species foliage is green. 3. The new Polemonium flower color is RHS 94B while Polemonium reptans has a blue flower color. 4. The new Polemonium has grape scented flowers while Polemonium reptans does not. 5. The new Polemonium has a mature height of 42-55 cm while the parent Polemonium reptans has a mature height of 30-35 cm.

Plants of the new Polemonium can also be compared to the other parent plant Polemonium yezoense ‘Purple Rain’. 1. The new plant is a hybrid and does not produce seed while the other parent plant Polemonium yezoense ‘Purple Rain’ is fertile and produces seed. 2. The new Polemonium has a mature height of 42-55 cm while the parent Polemonium yezoense ‘Purple Rain’ has a mature height of 65 cm.

DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS

FIG. 1. Close up of the foliage.

FIG. 2. Close up of the flower.

FIG. 3. Blooming plant in May.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart. Plants used for the description were grown for two seasons.

• Botanical classification: Polemonium hybrida cultivar Heaven Scent.
• Parentage: Male or pollen Polemonium reptans and female or seed Polemonium yezoense ‘Purple Rain’.
• Propagation: Vegetative division and tissue culture.
• Plant description: Overall habit of the new Polemonium is basal clumps starting with red new growth in spring, upright stems topped by purple flowers RHS color 94B in May.
  • • Plant height.—42-55 cm.
    • Plant width.—45 cm as a mean.
    • Stem diameter.—3-5 mm.
• Foliage:
  • • Type.—Deciduous.
    • Shape.—Pinnate.
    • Arrangement.—Opposite compound.
    • Petiole.—2 cm long and 5 mm wide.
    • Length.—12 cm.
    • Width.—7 cm.
    • Leaflet length.—30-35 mm.
    • Leaflet width.—1 cm.
    • Leaflet shape.—Lanceolate.
    • Adaxial leaf description.—New growth color is 200 A. The mature green foliage is color 147 A.
    • Abaxial leaf description.—The mature green foliage is color 138 B.
• Flower:
  • • Flower type.—Panicle on basal flowering stems.
    • Flower color.—94 B.
    • Flower diameter.—2 cm across.
    • Flower number.—Approximately 25-40 per raceme or panicle.
    • Flowering stems.—Up to 55 cm stems.
    • Bloom period and duration.—Late April into May and sporadically into June.
    • Scent.—Grape scented.
    • Petal count.—5.
    • Petal margin.—Entire.
    • Petal base.—Fused.
    • Petal arrangement.—Imbricate.
    • Petal apex.—Rounded.
    • Petal venation.—Close to 72 A.
    • Inflorescence diameter.—About 10 mm.
    • Carpel color.—None, sterile.
    • Sepal size.—8 mm long, 3-5 mm diameter across.
    • Sepal color.—N77.
    • Peduncle color.—N77.
    • Flower number.—600.
    • Fertility.—Sterile, no anthers, 5 stamens.
    • Fruit.—None.
    • Disease resistance.—Resistance to diseases common to Polemonium has not been observed on plants grown under nursery conditions.

Claims

1. A new, distinct Polemonium plant as shown and described, characterized by red new growth to the foliage in spring, grape scented flowers and a medium height.