The Garden.org Plants Database

Bought this one, because I love the flower. Unfortunately, it is not a good grower in my garden (Zone 7b, sandy soil).

[ | Reply to this comment ]

I "rescued" this form and reintroduced to several commercial growers in 2003. It has been widely planted in the San Francisco Bay Area.
It is not as free-flowering as some other forms but the individual flowers are very large and have a pleasing fullness. Is is very vigorous. The form 'Alba' has much smaller flowers, and is a weaker plant.
'Madonna' flowers usually show a pair of small pink marks on either side of the center; this may be more noticeable in cool weather. It is fertile and seedlings are highly variable. The form should be propagated from cuttings only.

[ | Reply to this comment ]

The fruit is large and round. The skin is creamy white blushed red. Flesh is white, divinely sweet & very juicy and mostly free-stone at its peak.

[ | Reply to this comment ]

Seeds started indoors mid-Feb 2024, planted out 4/17, first harvest 7/4 (76 days). Delicious slicer, interesting color, but not popular with neighbors. Plant remained small and spindly, with low production. Did not thrive in my zone 8a north Georgia garden. not productive. Probably not grow again.

[ | Reply to this comment ]

Seeds planted inside 3/18/2024, planted into straw bale 4/18, loaded with small cherry-size fruit and flowers 5/25. First harvest in June (70 days), abundant harvest 7/4, then production fell off. Early and prolific producer, but appears to be disease-prone in my zone 8a north Georgia growing conditions. Probably would not grow again.

[ | Reply to this comment ]

Seeds started indoors mid-Feb, planted out April 17, good production by early July(75 days). Compact 2.5-foot plant, producing an abundance of large salad tomatoes with tangy flavor. Juicy, with thick flesh. Would like to grow again.

[ | Reply to this comment ]

Seeds started inside 2/13/2024, planted out 4/17/2024. First ripe tomato of the season 5/21/2024 (34 days). The tomato a bit mushy. Plant completed withered in June heat/drought, with last harvest 7/4/2024. Although it is a very early producer, it is a very small plant with limited production of salad-size tomatoes. Would not grow again.

[ | Reply to this comment ]

Seeds started indoors mid-Feb 2024, planted out 4/17, harvested 7/4/2024 (78 days). Wiry 3-4 foot tall plants, producing large cherry sized fruit with bright tomato flavor, not sweet. Bright yellow orange. Still producing 7/22, resist cracking even with 3 inches of rain. Fruit production continues into early September, with no disease or bug issues. Would like to plant again.

[ | Reply to this comment ]

Seeds started mid-Feb 2024, planted into straw bales 4/17. Compact, dense 2-3 foot tall plant, producing good amount of small slicing tomatoes (or large salad tomato when sliced into quarters) in early July (75 days). Fruit has pleasant bright tomato flavor. Significant slug damage in straw bales, but would try again in patio pots.

[ | Reply to this comment ]

Seeds started mid-Feb 2024, planted out 4/17/2024, first harvest 7/4/2024 (78 days). By mid-July, plant was tall and spindly, with leaves turning yellow, and only one tomato on plant. This variety does not seem to be suited to the hot humid weather in my north Georgia garden. Would not grow again.

[ | Reply to this comment ]