*CONQUERING KING

(N. Ripley 2018) Tet Conquering King, 12NR126 (Bali Watercolor x Twiggy’s Lavender) flower 7.5”, height 38”, rich purple bitone, hardy semi-evergreen in our garden. We have watched this flower mature since the first bloom in 2013. Each year getting better, taller, petals never pinch, the sepals are a paler shade of purple. Plant increases nicely and sets pods. I am not sure why I didn’t start using this flower until last year. This past summer we had drought and I wanted to see how this plant would handle the lack of water. It had always put up so many scapes and flowers were exciting. It didn’t seem to notice the lack of water and is an early bloomer, could be the reason. Conquering King set pods and the pollen was fertile. It didn’t rebloom as much as it has in the past, so I will say some rebloom. It might have been the lack of rain. About the parents: Bali Watercolor has always been a very reliable plant in our garden but has never rebloomed. Bali Watercolor always came back and increased but not as happy as Conquering King. The funky look of Twiggy’s Lavender is fun. So happy to see a little darker color on Conquering King than both of the parents. Darker color may come from grandparent Royal Celebration who is also a parent of our Scarlet Pimpernel. Conquering King is also taller than both parents as they stand in my garden. Scapes are straight up and strong to hold lots of large blooms and fragrant. Fertile both way. Double fan, $50.00.