Winter has come to Florida. Ordinarily, our temperatures remain in the 50 - 70 degree range. As of late, we're getting temperatures in the 35 - 60 degree range which means we have to be ever vigilent about the slightest trends toward freezing. Despite the low temperatures, we've had some of our crosses from last year setting rather nice blooms. These are part of the group we may be registering within the next month or two. So, this is a sneak peek at what's new for 2011. Hope you enjoy them...

Our first prospect for registration is a Jacayna x Adeline cross from last year. The color is offwhite/cream. It is a double flowering type with one of the fattest corolla tubes we've ever seen. The inner corolla is a scant 1/2" below the outer corolla...very nice form. The fragrance is medium and sweet. The mouth of the corolla is very wide. Tendrils are medium sized, uniform and rather elegant. The overall appearance resembles a plate of whipped cream!

Our second prospective for registration is a lovely Morgensonne x Dola cross. It is a single that begins white, then blushes to pink, then very light peach. What distinguishes this flower is the symmetry of it's form. The corolla is beautifully shaped, has a star-like shape that opens to a nice uniform corolla with medium corolla teeth that flare straight out and up. Medium, sweet fragrance and sturdy growth habit on a medium sized plant. Very nice indeed!

Our third prospect for registration is still being observed for color changes. The cross is Dorthea x Ruffles and Flourishes. The form on this one is just perfect. The flower is a large single with a wide, corolla mouth and long corolla teeth that flare straight out without curling. It has strong fragrance. We're observing it for color, because it has developed a hairline ridge of medium pink around the entire hem of the corolla...strange indeed! It is a very robust, medium-sized tree.

We have a few more crosses with buds forming and will report when they bloom.