Next to Me stays within a rich range of plum and burgundy, creating a dark, saturated flower from top to bottom. 36″ (91 cm), Midseason to Late bloom. The standards are burgundy-plum, complemented by plum style arms. The falls deepen to a velvety burgundy-plum with rich oxblood coloring at the shoulders. The beards have purple-based hairs tipped in bronze, adding a subtle warm accent without interrupting the flower’s overall dark coloring. (Adam Cordes, 2017). Honorable Mention, 2019. Photo from Pat McNeal.