Garnet

Character & interest

‘Garnet’ is one of the most widely grown red dissectums, appreciated for its balance: a naturally cushion-like habit with cascading branches, and a dense colour that holds well through the season. The leaf segments are often a little less “thread-like” than on some very finely cut dissectums, giving a lace effect while still keeping presence.

Colours

• Spring : young leaves purple-red.

• Summer : deep burgundy / rich reddish-brown (often stable).

• Autumn : brighter red (often scarlet red to orange-red depending on conditions).

Habit & vigour

Weeping, spreading, dome-shaped habit (mushroom/cushion), with supple branching. Good to moderate vigour, steady growth.

Indicative size

As a guide: about 1.5 to 2.5 m tall, for 2.5 to 4 m wide in the long run (varies with climate, in-ground vs container, and graft height). In very favourable conditions and with age, some specimens can become larger.

Exposure

Bright partial shade or gentle sun (morning). Protection from scorching sun and dry wind improves foliage hold, especially in a container.

Origin & history

‘Garnet’ is a horticultural selection from a chance seedling in Boskoop (Netherlands), attributed to the Guldemond brothers (Gebr. Guldemond), with distribution indicated around the late 1950s. The cultivar received the RHS Award of Garden Merit.