Description
(Merendera raddeana Pink)
This is a seed-raised stock from plants traceable to Armenia on the road between Martuni and Yeghegnadzor, (the capital of Vayots Dzor province) on the Vardenyats Pass (Selim Pass) through the Vardenis mountains. This pass at 2,410m. sits on the original Silk Road.
In this stock, the flowers are of a light rose colour, with a slightly darker base to each petal. This contrasts wonderfully with the anthers which are black on opening though they yield yellow pollen when they ripen and shed their pollen (dehiscence).
This blooms very early in the spring with widely opening flowers looking up at you from ground level, the flowers in the main picture are only just emerging from in between the developing leaves.
