Theresa, my garden is full of them. I used to grow thousands of my own seedlings and hundreds of named cultivar. Now, I have about 20 seedlings, and there are around 75 older ones, with a handful of ones registered in the last 2-3 years. It was so, so difficult to widdle down to a manageable number. Like getting rid of old friends.
I hope to do an article about the ones I kept and how or why I chose them to keep.
One thing I kept in mind --- so many of the new intros have some sort of eye or edge. I think this trend will pass, and it will be hard to breed those edges and patterns out. I've kept a few really good selfs that have great plants here. I am not a big fan of eyes or edges. One other thing I kept in mind on what to keep - I wanted plants that did well here - nice scapes and foliage - however I don't want plants that increase like crazy, because it is to difficult for me to divide. I rarely fertilize to keep down extra growth.
A couple examples...
This is one of my seedlings, but I love it.
Alexandra x Concrete Blonde
This one is the most wonderful red. That sheen around the throat area is something I am always on the look out for. Bela Lugosi, Sleepy Hollow and Holly Dancer all have it too.
Ascension By Fire
And, I have loved Kissed Off since I got it when it was introduced. It blooms just above the foliage, but the color is the most wonderful intense rose, and it has a very green throat. Always has great branching and bud count.
