Dark and Mysterious

Another season, and another curious “ultra” dark red cultivar offered by Royal Colors. This time it is ‘Mandela’ that makes waves here with Emaryllis by not having a KAVB registry as yet. So, this may be just a provisional name as we see from time to time (e.g. White Flower Farm’s offering of ‘Peach Parfait’ which would go on to be registered as ‘Apricot Parfait’ the following season). It seems similar to ‘Jewel of the Night’ which RC offered last season. In light of Penning’s ramping up of very dark ‘Night Fever’ for the cut flower world, alongside another unnamed “01020-D” it seems that there is a connection. While it is exciting to see a number of these new, nearly black-red forms enter the marketplace, one has to consider that they are challenging to display well in darker home environments. Add that the yellow pollen can readily stain the flowers, detracting from their overall beauty, and that this happens especially readily on first season roots (which is to say few if any) and they become more novel than anything. Still, who can resist their dark allure? Until registry is confimed, ‘Mandela’ can be found in the Lobby gallery.