I normally don't grow very many smaller flowers, but Ruby Lipstick intrigued me. When I first got the plant a few years ago, I just laughed and nearly tossed it straight from the box, but I planted it. It certainly wasn't an impressive looking thing when it bloomed the first year, and the second year, I dug it to toss it out, but had second thoughts and just put it in an area where those plants seem to congregate. I have been extremely busy this year and actually stumbled upon it one day when it was blooming and was actually taken with the vivid red against the white- and no red border. It also had a green throat. The plant is small in stature and those tend to get lost in my garden. Scapes are only at 20" and there are only two, sometimes three branches and from 12 to 14 buds. I was making a concerted effort to cut back on crosses this year, but it did have pods. I seriously doubt that it will keep avoiding the cut list, but for the time being, it is different from most things that I grow. I have to say that it has to be somewhat of a tough plant because I have certainly neglected it since it came here.
