plant named ‘PEZZ0023’

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed:

Varietal denomination: ‘PEZZ0023.’

The present invention comprises a new, botanically known as, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘PEZZ0023’.

‘PEZZ0023’ is a product of a planned breeding program. The new cultivar ‘PEZZ0023’ has large sized inflorescences and flowers, with dark pink colored flowers, dark green foliage, semi-trailing, sturdy and vigorous growth habit, thick stems and branches on a well-branched plant, tolerates hot summer conditions with continuous summer flowering.

‘PEZZ0023’ originates from a cross hybridization of two (2) sibling seedlings in a breeding program made in September 2019 in a greenhouse in Amatitlán, Guatemala. The female parent was identified as ‘PTSCC0003-2’ with red flower color.

The male parent was an unpatented plant identified as ‘PTSCC0004-3’ with pink colored flowers. The resultant seed was sown in August 2020 in Gilroy, California.

‘PEZZ0023’ was selected as one flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in November 2020 in a greenhouse in Gilroy, California.

The first act of asexual reproduction of ‘PEZZ0023’ was accomplished when vegetative cuttings were propagated from the initial selection in January 2021 in a greenhouse in Gilroy, California.

Horticultural examination of plants grown from cuttings of the plant initiated in June 2024 in Gilroy, California, and continuing thereafter, has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for ‘PEZZ0023’ are firmly fixed and are retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

‘PEZZ0023’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length.

A Plant Breeder's Right for this cultivar has not yet been applied for. ‘PEZZ0023’ has not been made publicly available prior to the effective filing date of this application, notwithstanding any disclosure that may have been made less than one year prior to the effective filing date of this application by the inventor or another who obtained ‘PEZZ0023’ directly from the inventor.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be basic characteristics of the new variety. The combination of these characteristics distinguishes thisas a new and distinct variety.

The plant descriptions and measurements were taken in Gilroy, California in early June under natural light. These plants were approximately 30 weeks old and were grown in a 1gallon pot grown first in a greenhouse trial and then outside for about the last 10-12 weeks. The plants shown in the photographs were about 17 weeks old growing in a gallon pot in a greenhouse trial. The photographs were taken in June 2024.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S) 2001.