I was hesitant to introduce RED TOP MOUNTAIN because I was concerned that it might be too tender. However, this past year it grew as a seedling for display in Tim Bell's garden in Sycamore, Georgia, during the 2010 AHS National Convention. Of the five seedlings that I had growing in Tim's garden, RED TOP MOUNTAIN was the one that he noticed. So, considering Tim's experience, and after having watched it carefully in my garden over the past two harsh winters, and seeing it do very well, I decided that it had to be introduced. In a colder climate it simply needs to be planted early in the spring, and have time to get its roots firmly established, before the winter arrives. Although it will do fine in a cold climate, I must add that the further south that it is planted, the better it performs. I would also report that in my Greenhouse I have seen it with 8 branches, and over 50 buds. Pollen fertile.