This probable variant of the common pink rock rose appeared in the garden of Carol Stacy Brinkman among her pink rock roses. She named the new color, 'Ellen's Legacy' in honor of her mother. When she contacted the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center they sent out Joe Marcus to check the plant. The Wildflower Center then took cuttings which you can now see growing at the center. However, all propagules and seeds belong to Carol who is currently working with Euro American who developed the Proven Winners name. It will likely take more than 2 years to determine if the plant has commercial value and even though Carol has applied to the International Cultivar Registry Authority to retain the name there is no guarantee that this would happen if the plant became commercially available.
It is not that I don't like my own rock rose. I do. It is a carefree plant which seeds readily and demands nothing. It blooms all summer long with cheery pink blooms. Oh, but I would love that red one. I think I'll just go out and check mine in the hope that I too have a red one!
Oh, I like the deeper color on that one too. Interesting story on how the process works as well.
ReplyDeleteThat red is stunning. That would pretty exciting to find in the garden. I can't imagine that it would not have 'commercial value'. Here's hoping someone in the chain rushes it up in the approval process and out to growers!
ReplyDeleteNow College Gardener wants one, too... Somehow I can always use more red-flowered plants.
ReplyDeleteHow pretty!!!! Have never seen that!
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely deep red. I'd judge that variation to be extremely commercially viable in terms of consumer demand, at least. Who wouldn't want a carefree, reseeding gorgeous pop of deep red in their beds?!?! And kudos for the name - so sweet a story.
ReplyDeleteJoe Marcus (aka Mr. Smarty Plants) came out to view a weird euphorbia variant that popped up in my beds one day a couple of years ago. He gathered seeds and took photos for the Wildflower Center's records. He is such an enthusiastic scholar and a superb photographer. Fun to see him mentioned.
How exciting for you. Did you blog about it? I would love to see it.
DeleteOh yes, so beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteI know this is a very stupid question but ...
Does that happen naturally or did she do something to make it happen?
How sweet to name it after her mama. sniff.
(oooo Texas Deb, that's exciting for you!)
Yes, naturally. Wish it would happen in my garden.
DeleteI would love to have a red one too. Rock rose is a great plant. It needs very little water and blooms up a storm. Sometimes I have problems with mealy bugs congregating on the spent blooms towards the end of summer, but I just trim off the affected branches and that usually solves the problem.
ReplyDeleteI like that deeper red better than the pink too. The grass is always greener, eh?
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing find! I just purchased a Red @ Dallas Botanical Garden Plant sale last weekend. After reading how it was discovered, I'm super excited to have this one!
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