We have been away for a couple of days. We hate to leave during bloom season, but we went on the Northern Mecca tours this past weekend. We visited 5 gardens on the tour and one more a little further away. We had a blast and brought home way too many new plants. When my husband sends me his pictures, I will post some of those.

We took a just a couple pictures of named varieties and lots of seedling pictures when Bob came home for lunch. It's a horribly humid, hot day with rain showers off and on. But the flowers are beautiful (and the mosquitoes are horrible).

Maynard Max provided the only picture of a named variety that was worthy to be shared.

This one made us happy today. It is a third year seedling that will be introduced if it proves to have enough buds. It is shorter than we prefer but the color is outstanding. It is Sea of Cinders X Happy Holidays to You.

Oklahoma Sand Burr X Lady Stephanie Victoria Redding has decent height on the scape.

Chomp X Mitch Lynd has increased in flower size and height of scape since its maiden bloom. It's a three year old seedling.

These next two are both My Friend Mary Jane X Crimson Stories. They are also three years old and have increased in height as well. We were afraid for them because My Friend Mary Jane has proven to be a terrible grower in our garden.

This is Ashwood Summer Sunshine X Crimson Stories. The color sort of surprised me but then I remind myself that Sherry Lane Carr is a parent of Ashwood Summer Sunshine.

I was also surprised that this color too. A pink crossed with a red gave this one--Wolverine X Susan Ruoff.

More in the comments . . .