QBARS - v32n4 R. calendulaceum 'Colossus'

R. calendulaceum 'Colossus'
by Dr. Frank Mossman

Found in the wilds of North Carolina by Dr. David Leach, this unusually large calendulaceum had four inch flowers.  Domestically grown plants of this clone have not yet reached the four inch giants that Dr. Leach observed but we suspect it's because our plants are not sufficiently mature. This species is not easy to propagate but Cy Ward on the west coast has rooted some. I have hybridized 'Colossus' with some outstanding clones of R. occidentale and the progeny of some are rather impressive.