Dianthus plant named ‘KLEDP23527’

[0001] Genus and species: Dianthus x caryophyllus L. hort.

[0002] Variety denomination: ‘KLEDP23527’.

[0003] The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of Dianthus, botanically known as Dianthus x caryophyllus L. hort. and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘KLEDP23527’. ‘KLEDP23527’ originated from a whole plant mutation in a group of Dianthus ‘DCP-2016-Sissy02’ (unpatented) plants and discovered in a trial conducted between December 2017 and January 2018 in Stuttgart, Germany.

[0004] In June 2018 ‘KLEDP23527’ was first vegetatively propagated by vegetative stem cuttings in Stuttgart, Germany. ‘KLEDP23527’ was found to reproduce true to type in successive generations of asexual propagation in Stuttgart, Germany via vegetative cuttings.

[0005] The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of ‘KLEDP23527’ when grown under normal horticultural practices in Stuttgart, Germany.

• • [0006] 1. Pink flowers that transition from dark pink to light pink with age of the flowers; and
  • [0007] 2. A medium-sized, semi-upright, double flower.

[0011] The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘KLEDP23527’. The data which define these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Stuttgart, Germany. Data was collected in April 2025 from a plant that had been potted in week 37 of 2024 and grown in a greenhouse in Stuttgart, Germany. Color references are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.), 5^th edition (2007).

• [0012] Classification:
  • • [0013] Family.—Caryophyllaceae.
    • [0014] Botanical.—Dianthus caryophyllus L. hort.
    • [0015] Designation.—‘KLEDP23527’.
    • [0016] Type.—Pot carnation.
• [0017] Parentage: Whole plant mutation discovered in a group of Dianthus ‘DCP-2016-Sissy02’ (unpatented) plants.
• [0018] Plant:
  • • [0019] Propagation type.—Vegetative cuttings.
    • [0020] Time to produce a rooted young plant.—28 days.
    • [0021] Root description.—Fine, color RHS 155C.
    • [0022] Rooting habit shape.—Lanceolate.
    • [0023] Plant form.—Semi-upright.
    • [0024] Plant height.—16 cm.
    • [0025] Plant diameter or spread.—26 cm.
• [0026] Lateral branches/stems:
  • • [0027] Shape of the branch in cross-section.—Circular.
    • [0028] Hollowness of the branch.—Absent.
    • [0029] Length.—17 cm.
    • [0030] Diameter.—2.5 cm.
    • [0031] Internode length.—4.5 cm.
    • [0032] Internode quantity per branch.—4.
    • [0033] Number of internodes per branch/stem.—4.
    • [0034] Node length.—0.3 cm.
    • [0035] Node diameter.—0.4 cm.
    • [0036] Texture.—Smooth.
    • [0037] Color.—N137A.
    • [0038] Flower clustering on the lateral branch.—On some lateral branches.
• [0039] Foliage:
  • • [0040] Arrangement.—Opposite.
    • [0041] Length.—4.5 cm.
    • [0042] Width.—0.3 cm.
    • [0043] Shape.—Linear.
    • [0044] Apex.—Acute.
    • [0045] Base.—Obtuse.
    • [0046] Margin.—Entire.
    • [0047] Texture (both upper and lower surfaces).—Smooth.
    • [0048] Cross-section of the leaf.—Moderately concave.
    • [0049] Curvature of the leaf.—Absent.
    • [0050] Glaucosity of the leaf.—Weak.
    • [0051] Leaf color (both immature and mature).—Immature: Upper surface: 137A. Lower surface: N137A. Mature: Upper surface: N137A. Lower surface: N137A.
    • [0052] Venation pattern.—Absent.
• [0053] Flowers:
  • • [0054] Flower type and habit.—Double sprays.
    • [0055] Fragrance.—Present.
    • [0056] Position of the flowers compared to the foliage of the plant.—Moderately above.
    • [0057] Profile of both the upper and lower part in the lateral view.—Flat convex.
    • [0058] Diameter of the flower.—4.7 cm.
    • [0059] Natural flowering season.—Spring to autumn.
    • [0060] Number of flowers per spray.—3 to 4.
    • [0061] Flower longevity on the plant.—12 days.
• [0062] Buds:
  • • [0063] Length.—2.0 cm.
    • [0064] Diameter.—0.9 cm.
    • [0065] Shape.—Oblong.
    • [0066] Color.—137A.
    • [0067] Extrusion of the styles at the bud stage.—Absent.
• [0068] Corolla:
  • • [0069] Quantity of petals and arrangement.—15 and arranged in several whorls.
    • [0070] Corolla height.—2.0 cm.
    • [0071] Petal length.—3.5 cm.
    • [0072] Petal width.—1.9 cm.
    • [0073] Petal shape.—Obtuse.
    • [0074] Petal apex.—Obtuse.
    • [0075] Petal base.—Acute.
    • [0076] Petal margin.—Crenate.
    • [0077] Depth of petal margin.—Medium.
    • [0078] Petal texture (both upper and lower surfaces).—Smooth.
    • [0079] Petal color.—Immature: Upper surface: N66C with 65B margin. Lower surface: 69D. Mature: Upper surface: 68D with 69C margin. Lower surface: 69D.
    • [0080] Macule.—Absent.
• [0081] Calyx:
  • • [0082] Quantity of sepals and arrangement.—5. Longitudinal axis of the lobes of the calyx: Straight. Shape: Campanulate. Calyx height: 2.1 cm. Calyx diameter (at the apex): 0.7 cm. Sepal texture (both upper and lower surfaces): Smooth. Sepal color: Upper surface: 137B. Lower surface: 144A.
    • [0083] Position of the outer lobes of the epicalyx in relation to the calyx.—Adpressed.
    • [0084] Apex shape of the outer lobes of the epicalyx.—Short acuminate.
    • [0085] Tip length of the outer lobes of the epicalyx.—0.1 cm.
    • [0086] Apex shape of the inner lobes of the epicalyx.—Short acuminate.
    • [0087] Tip length of the inner lobes of the epicalyx.—0.1 cm.
• [0088] Peduncles:
  • • [0089] Length.—2.8 cm.
    • [0090] Diameter.—0.2 cm.
    • [0091] Strength.—Medium.
    • [0092] Texture.—Smooth.
    • [0093] Color.—N137A.
• [0094] Reproductive organs:
  • • [0095] Stamens.—Quantity per flower: 6. Filament length: 1.3 cm. Filament color: 160B. Anther length: 0.2 cm. Anther diameter: 0.1 cm. Anther color: 164B. Pollen amount: None observed.
    • [0096] Pistils.—Quantity per flower: 2. Length: 1.7 cm. Diameter: 0.1 cm. Stigma: Color: 73A. Shape: Filamentous. Length: 0.3 cm. Diameter: 0.1 cm.
    • [0097] Style.—Color: 157A. Length: 1.4 cm. Diameter: 0.1 cm.
    • [0098] Ovary.—Color: 145C. Width: 0.5 cm.
• [0099] Seeds: None observed to date.
• [0100] Disease and insect resistance: No particular disease or insect resistance observed.

[0101] ‘KLEDP23527’ is distinguished from the parent as described in Table 1.

[0102]

TABLE 1
Comparison with Parental Line
Characteristic	‘KLEDP23527’	Female parent
Flower color	Younger flowers are dark	Purple
	pink that transition to
	light pink with age

[0103] ‘KLEDP23527’ can be compared to the commercial Dianthus variety ‘KLEDP07089’ (unpatented). Differences between the varieties are described in Table 2.

[0104]

TABLE 2
Comparison with Similar Variety
		‘KLEDP07089’
Characteristic	‘KLEDP23527’	(unpatented)
Habit	Semi-upright	Upright
Flower	Double	Semi-double
Flower size	Smaller than	Larger than
	‘KLEDP07089’	‘KLEDP23527’