I got Ming Toy & Siloam Double Classic at the same time at the only nursery in our area that sold dl's at the time. That was Giverney Gardens in Jupiter. I DO know where they both came from though b/c the tags on both said Sarasota Growers. I did call them to see if the were wholesale only or if they would ship to me. Well, they wouldn't ship & I wasn't driving to Sarasota so didn't pursue if they would sell to the public if one went there.
Elaine, that's exactly what Ming Toy did --- start blooming in April (sometimes late March) & went until November. Siloam Dbl. Classic performed great too & multiplied rapidly as well & both dl's showed rust resistance. The Siloam ran a little later than Ming by maybe 3 weeks & would stop a little earlier by another 3 or 4 weeks. Of course both would have short periods of non bloom but when you have big clumps someone is always blooming.
I too am missing Siloam & Ming Toy as I was not able to bring them with me --- didn't know I wouldn't be back. I had sent my cousin in San Antonio fans of each & this fall she is going to send fans back to me.
Elaine, I don't know how good you are at charming but it would certainly be worth a shot to go to Sarasota Growers & see if they will sell to you or ask who they sell to locally. If they have Siloam then maybe you could get a dbl. shot & send Jean a fan.
I know that what does good for me does good for my cousin & vice versa. She has Little Business & it does great for her. I will get a short list together & post it when I get a chance. Mostly ppl say that we in Fl. should grow evergreens but Siloam puts the lie to that as she is a dormant which was semi evergreen for me. AND some of the top notch hybridizers have their gardens right there in Fl. & they grow everything from dormants to evergreens.
I do know that Siloam hybrids have a reputation for being very tough dl's & the Dbl. Classic sure proved it to me.
I have to run for now but will be back later.
