The care secret that transformed my Mr. Lincoln

I'd had Mr. Lincoln for about eight months with acceptable but unremarkable results. Then I started really paying attention to deadheading spent blooms to encourage reblooming and the difference over the next two months was dramatic.

strong disease-resistant root stock became much more pronounced. The plant in a large terracotta pot on a sunny patio now looks like a completely different specimen. first flush of blooms in late spring confirmed that I'd finally unlocked what this plant can do. aphid infestations on new growth has been less of a problem since I got the overall conditions right. If your Mr. Lincoln is underwhelming, look at deadheading spent blooms to encourage reblooming first.