This variety is the first of the corals to bloom in the patch, and is long lasting and incredibly productive. Super-ruffled flowers look like an upside-down ball gown and ride atop long, strong stems. Petal tips are brushed with white and as flowers age it’s almost as if the color drains out of them completely, transitioning from coral to linen. Plants bloom in stages and you’ll often notice five different colors flowering on one plant. Unfortunately, blooms have an unpleasant fragrance, but better than most other coral varieties.

Cut stems can also be stored for later use; they will last for 2 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator. When storing, remove almost all of the leaves; bunch the stems together, and slip them into a plastic bag with a few paper towels inside to absorb any excess moisture. Lay them flat on the shelf in the produce area of the fridge and then check every few days for signs of mold. Discard any that begin to rot. Upon removal, the flowers often look limp but don’t worry. Recut the stems and place them immediately in warm water with flower preservative. The buds will open within 24 hours, and the blooms will last a good week in the vase.