This was my favourite seedling of the ones that bloomed in 2002 for the first time. Unfortunately it has a very short scape and few buds. It was moved to a sunnier location for 2003 without any noticeable change in performance.
In its third year (2004) with its fate on the line this seedling finally started to perform. While still on the short side, it did develop a couple of lateral branches and bud count at least doubled from previous years. Visitors are still struck with this one and it will be kept for a while longer.
Image of a 2003 bloom. This sib has a tall and heavily budded scape but not near the form or colour of #1. Darn the luck!
Image of a 2004 bloom. Here the plant bloomed a polytepal in its third year. The height, vigor and branching of this seedling prompted me to make a few crosses with it. I hope to broaden the petals and clarify the colour a bit while retaining the strong eye.
Image of a 2005 bloom. This plant was moved in the fall of 2004 to a sunnier location. To my surprise the colour clarified but the scapes were shorter and with less branching. That may have been due to the move so we will see how it does in 2006. I like the flower better now and hope the plant habit resurfaces.