Tina - I think the reason they bloom so quickly here in Florida is because they continue to grow through the Winter months. We rarely get hard freezes. Though I don't believe I get many first year blooming plants. But that could be because I started the seeds in January or later, instead of the Fall. I am growing some now and some I started a month ago. So I am really curious to see if any of these bloom in 2014.
I do have some dormants growing in my garden as well. But I haven't kept a close eye on any of mine to see how quickly they bloom. I plan to start though with the current "named" parent crosses I am currently growing from seeds.
I may find myself culling some of my current in-ground plants. I have family members that would take them and I may plant some at the school I work at, too. But I have some favorites and they will stay. Two of my favorite hybrids came from Sandy and the pod parents were Mama's Cherry Pie and Roses in the Snow. I love both of those and they have done quite well in my garden and bloom like crazy. There are a few others as well.
Because I garden for butterflies and hummingbirds, I am trying to be an organic, pesticide-free gardener.
I really want to know more about the rust issue. Are there really cultivars that are resistant to rust??? I do have the rust issue with some of my plants.
