‘Strong Coral’ [Herbaceous Hybrid] –– Hans-Guenter Maschke, Halle, Germany / Koen Hurtekant, Wingene, Belgium –– Seedling number: OFF-4. Parentage: ‘Old Faithful’ x ‘Coral Charm’. Cultivar has been previously distributed under seedling number. First bloomed 2011, first propagated 2015. Mid-late season blooming SEMI-DOUBLE flowers are coral-pink, 18 cm (7″) in diameter, upward facing, and average one per stem. The coloration changes as the flowers age much like other “coral” cultivars: beginning coral-pink, then turning to a salmon-pink, and finally to a yellowish color. Guard petals are flat and rounded. Clean sepals (unlike the cultivar’s parent ‘Coral Charm’); buds are closed and well-protected. No fragrance. Three moderately hairy carpels are greenish-white, with pink stigmas of normal anatomy. Stamens are between 1.25-2 cm (0.5-0.75″) in length, with uniformly yellow filaments. Fertile both ways. Disk is obscure. Leaflets are broadly cut, green in color. Foliage at the time of emergence is green. Plants reach 110 cm (43″) at maturity. Growth habit is upright with very sturdy stems; mechanical support is unnecessary. Plants are quite vigorous, producing 30-40 stems on average when fully mature. Due to this, plants are quite floriferous, but also require ample space. Plants grow rapidly, and occasionally this results in paler leaflets at the top of the plant. Overall height of the plant increases markedly with age, as does the degree of doubleness of the flower. By year four, plants reach full maturity. Cuts well; the cultivar can be cut tight in bud, and opens slowly but well. When first divided in 2015, one division was sent to the registrant by the hybridizer for further hybridizing and feld testing. The registrant considers it to be very promising and worthwhile after several years of growing and further propagation. The name was suggested by Renata Janc (Lithuania), with reference to the cultivar’s vigorous growth habit and color. 030625
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