Kerlavangem

Lavender

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Hidcote'

Summary: The plant of 'Kerlavangem' is broader than the plant of 'Hidcote'. The thickness at the middle third of the flowering stem of 'Kerlavangem' is thin while the flowering stem of 'Hidcote' is very thin. The length of the spike including the first whorl of flowers is shorter for 'Kerlavangem' than it is for 'Hidcote'. The distance between whorls of flowers on the spike is very short for 'Kerlavangem' while the distance between whorls of flowers is medium for 'Hidcote'. The width of the apical whorl of flowers of the spike is broader for 'Kerlavangem' than it is for 'Hidcote'.

Description:

PLANT: upright growth habit, medium to dense branching at time of full flowering, semi-erect attitude of outer flowering stem, begins flowering early
FLOWERING STEM: thin, medium green, medium to strong rigidity of basal part, no lateral branching above foliage

FOLIAGE: light green, strong intensity of grey tinge
LEAF: no incisions of margin

SPIKE: from second whorl of flowers the length is short to medium, medium number of whorls of flowers, very short distance between whorls of flowers, conical to cylindrical, no infertile bracts
FLOWER: many per spike, medium number on apical whorl
CALYX: dark violet (RHS 86A), dense pubescence
COROLLA: violet

Origin & Breeding History: 'Kerlavangem' was developed by the breeders, Priscilla Grace Kerley, David William Kerley, and Timothy Edward Kerley, in Cambridge, United Kingdom, as part of a planned breeding program. It originated from an open pollination of a group of unnamed Lavandula angustifolia varieties in 2000. The resultant seeds were collected and sown. 'Kerlavangem' was selected as a single plant in the spring of 2001 based on its broad flower spikes, moderately compact plant growth habit, broad foliage, and reduced need for vernalization to induce flowering. 'Kerlavangem' was first propagated by vegetative cuttings during the autumn of 2001, in Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Tests & Trials: The trial of 'Kerlavangem' was conducted in a polyhouse during the spring of 2013 at BioFlora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. It included 20 plants each of the candidate and reference variety. Rooted cuttings were planted into 15 cm pots on April 17, 2013. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants or parts of plants of each variety on July 11, 2013. All colour determinations were made using the 2007 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Kerlavangem' with reference variety 'Hidcote'

Plant width (cm)

Spike length including first whorl of flowers (cm)

Diameter of apical whorl of flowers (cm)

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Lavender: 'Kerlavangem' (left) with reference variety 'Hidcote' (right)

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Lavender: 'Kerlavangem' (left) with reference variety 'Hidcote' (right)