Michele, the first criteria I aim for is size. My thinking is to get the size first, then maybe cross
with some newer smaller flowers (that I love so much) and still keep a good size bloom. May
not work out, just have to wait and see. Had a range of 5in to 8in, mostly in the 6in size.
The bed due to bloom for first time this year (204 plants), I expect to have to compost all of
them. Too many experimental crosses. So hopefully I will have plenty of time to take pics
of the 2011 blooms from many different angles to best represent them, considering they
make it through the winter, and continue to look the same or better.
Most of the flowers in the garden are large; makes it hard to decide what to cull. They usually look better in real life. So, I take the pics and look at the details and comparisons to decide.
To respond to your comments and questions, all three purples posted do not fade in the sun.
A pleasant surprise.
Batch 4, #1-- I believe this one would be considered a bi-tone. Correct me if I'm wrong. I don't
have anything to cross that one with to define the eye, but the purple has gotten darker each
year. Another surprise.
Batch4 #4-- the large pink is a very flat blossom, with only the tips turning down. Doesn't show
up in the pic very well, but that is what helps the size as in contrast to the bagel-shaped pink
that is so rounded.
Batch4 #5--That is just the camera angle. I get in all kinds of positions trying to take a pic
without my feet showing.
At the end of my last post before this, I could have used a "tip hat" smiley. Just thought of it. That would
express my sentiment perfectly.
Michele, you spent a lot of time and effort on this. Greatly appreciated.
