Calypso Noël

Have you ever heard a Christmas carol with a Caribbean beat? 

When I made this cross, I wanted to combine the russet tones and rounded form of Jeff Salter's Calypso Bay with the the big brawny plant of Bill Munson's Paper Dragon. But instead of russet and bronze, the result was this bright cherry-red! 

A lighter watermark sets off the yellow-green throat,  from which gold flares dart into the midribs and are repeated in the sepals. Petals have darker shadings at their crimped edges. Calypso Noël was "discovered" by Charlie and Judy Zettek on a visit to the garden in 2007. Good eye, Judy!                                                           Height and color make it stand out in the garden. Starts second week in July here in Zone 6. Three-way branching with a budcount 16. Runner-up for Stanley Saxton Award for Best Seedling (Region 4) 2010.

Paper Dragon x Calypso Bay

Flower 6 x 2 1/2 x 1 1/2".

Height 40"

Midseason

Semi-evergreen

Introduced at: $75