Chinensis X officinalis Otto Froebel. Large, single, cup-shaped bloom of deep mahogany color. Very early.

Award of Landscape Merit (ALM) description: ‘Mahogany’ (Glasscock, 1937) Hybrid, Dark Red Japanese, Earl y mid-season, Medium height. (lactiflora x Otto Froebel) —Medium-sized blooms of good substance consist of two rows of intensely pigmented, dark red petals that are somewhat cupped and irregularly edged. Each petal lightens toward its base and lower mid rib creating less color saturated flares. When looking down into the bloom these flares, both on the innermost petals and the partial covered outermost petals, create a starburst pattern radiating from the flower’s center. The center consists of creamy green carpels tipped lightest pink, encircled by a ring of short, thick and barely transformed staminodes. The overall sheen of the bloom is unique, similar to that of red lacquer nail polish; and although the bloom flattens and loses its form with age, it remains relatively color fast. The stalks are slender and hold blooms erect above the foliage with the exterior stalks incurving slightly for a more compact floral presentation. Blooms are one per stalk and open all together (and reflexively close all togethe r in inclement weather) with no need for mechanical support. Foliated lateral stem production begins just above the soil line and proceeds up the stalk, creating a compact bush that obscures its “legs” from view. Foliage is light green with durable, medium-sized leaflets that are notched and somewhat flat. The bush has the capacity to hold its pre-bloom shape and maintain clean foliage well into the post-bloom period. ‘Mahogany’ is vigorous and establishes a many stemmed plant quickly, even when soil conditions are less than ideal. As a cut flower, Mahogany has a long history of success at APS Exhibitions, though blooms may not be as enduring as others and can show the stress of prolonged cold storage with darkening coloration and petals that lose their naturalness. Not adventitious and best propagated by division.

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