Smoky Mountain

Smoky Mountain.  Seidl/Bremer.  2023.  Suffruticosa with P. rockii influence hybrid.  (Rock’s Variety x Shintenchi).  Seedling number: Seidl #MRV-11. Grafted from scions provided by Bill Seidl which had been given various garden names over the past 20+ years.  Among the names was ‘Captivating Kate’ which honored Kate Casey, spouse of very own Jordan Kabat (operations manager at Solaris).  Bill felt this plant probably was worthy of registration, but thought the name was too close to another plant named for Kate – ‘Capt’n Kate’, thus was renamed.  ‘Smoky Mountain’ is one of the largest, hardiest and tallest of the woodies we grow at nearly 7 feet in width and 6 feet in height here in Wisconsin.  I might add our oldest plant is located on the southeast corner of our machine shed – a windy and inhospitable location during the winter season and it provides a big show each season!   Flowers open a coral-pink which fades to a light old rose and creamy white.  Dark maroon flares are present which feather out onto the petals.  Petals are notched, creased and very in color as they age.  Stigmas are bright red and the sheath is a darker red.  Filaments are a reddish-violet.  Plants are vigorous growers and stems are clothed in medium to small leaflets which are a light green.  We believe this to be an outstanding candidate for the landscape as plants are showy in bloom and out bloom.  Fertile both ways.   Ships in late September to mid October.  AGE: Field grown, 4+ year old graft or division from larger plants – our choice of available plant material upon harvest.