Verbena plant named ‘USBENAL17’

#Botanical classification/cultivar designation: Verbena hybrida cultivar USBENAL17.

#The present Invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Verbena plant, botanically known as Verbena hybrida, and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘USBENAL17’.

#The new Verbena is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Hikone, Shiga, Japan. The objective of the breeding program is to develop new disease-resistant and high temperature-tolerant Verbena cultivars with semi-upright plant habit and attractive flower coloration.

#The accompanying colored photograph illustrates the overall appearance of the new cultivar, showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photograph may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Verbena.

#The photograph at the top of the sheet comprises a side perspective view of a typical plant of ‘USBENAL17’ grown in a container.

#The photograph at the bottom of the sheet is a close-up view of typical flowers and leaves of ‘USBENAL17’.

#In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 1995 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. Plants grown in 15-cm containers with one plant per container were used for the aforementioned photographs and following description. Plants were about six weeks from planting rooted cuttings. Plants were grown under conditions which closely approximate commercial production conditions during the spring in Bonsall, Calif. in an outdoor nursery. During the production period, day temperatures ranged from about 18 to about 35° C. and night temperatures ranged from about 7 to about 18° C.

#Botanical classification: Verbena hybrida cultivar USBENAL17.

#Parentage: