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Quantock Perfection - a stunning Angel Pelargonium

March 3, 2013, 7:22 am
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Angel Perlargonium "Quantock Perfection"
Isn't this a gorgeous flower?    Beautiful frilled dark pink upper petals and paler lower petals, "Quantock Perfection" is a stunning Angel Perlargonium and one which always catches the eye in my greenhouse when it is in flower.   "Quantock Perfection" was hybridised by the well known Angels hybridiser Ken Dymond who has introduced so many of these lovely pelargoniums.    This is, I think, one of his best and indeed, it was awarded the BEGS* Gold Certificate in 2007.  

Quantock Perfection - Angel Pelargoniuim

If I thought last winter was bad, this winter has been even worse. My plants have been very slow to come into growth due to the cold and lack of light.   I usually give my zonal pelargoniums a boost with a high nitrogen feed in mid-February when I can first see some new growth.  Not this year though.  I have only just spotted the first signs of new growth this last week, so I will be giving the plants their annual boost this week.   They only get the one feed of high nitrogen – I don’t want my plants to have huge leaves!

*BEGS (The British & European Geranium Society) with The British Pelargonium & Geranium Society merged at the beginning of 2009 to become The Pelargonium and Geranium Society (PAGS).   Take a look at their new website: http://thepags.org.uk
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Simple Sister - Angel Pelargonium

March 12, 2013, 7:26 am
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Simple Sister - Angel Pelargonium
When this Angel Pelargonium is in flower in my greenhouse, it always makes me smile. And they just seem to smile back.  The flower are small and single, very floriferous and with bright lavender pink markings on paler pink petals.  The leaves have a slight citrus scent.  Simple Sister is hybridised by Jay Kapac and can be obtained from Gosbrook Pelargoniums.

If you've not already done so, take a look at the website of The Pelargonium & Geranium Society - http://thepags.org.uk  for news, articles, reviews and members' forum.  Or find us on Facebook.
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SILVER GLITTER - MINIATURE BI-COLOURED STELLAR

March 21, 2013, 2:37 am
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Silver Glitter - miniature bi-coloured stellar

"Silver Glitter" is a miniature silver bi coloured stellar pelargonium with double white flowers which are speckled and splashed with bright red.    This is another pelargonium hybridised  by the late Brian West and is a cross between Chelsea Star and Pidford.  "Silver Glitter" was released through Warrenorth Pelargoniums.


Silver bi-coloured leaves of "Silver Glitter"

Despite it now being officially spring, we still have very low light levels and cold weather here in the UK and my pelargoniums, like those of many other growers here, are very late in making any growth this year.     The forecast for the rest of the month is not good either, although we are getting the odd bright day.  I've been potting on and re-potting some of my plants this week.  The plants certainly do appreciate the new compost around their roots.  
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DWARF PELARGONIUM 'CLAYDON'

March 29, 2013, 10:04 am
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"Claydon" - dwarf zonal pelargonium


Hybridised by the late Ray Bidwell of Suffolk, "Claydon" is a compact dwarf zonal pelargonium with double lilac pink flowers and dark leaves with a darker zone.  Ray Bidwell lived in Suffolk and named many of his varieties after local villages.   He introduced many miniature and dwarf varieties which are still available today.
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Regal Pelargonium "Aztec"

April 13, 2013, 1:47 pm
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"Aztec" Regal Pelargonium

Introduced by Wm. E. Schmidt in 1962, the regal perlargonium "Aztec"  flowers profusely and has a compact and self-branching habit, making it a popular choice still today for exhibitors.     The flowers have a  dark red centre blotch gradually fading to strawberry red and then to white/palest pink around the petal edges. 

There is a version with fringed petals which is  a sport from "Aztec" and was introduced in the U.S.A. in 1973.  It was originally named “Betty Bly”, but was introduced commercially in 1975 as "Fringed Aztec".

This winter has certainly been a challenge.  I have had to admit defeat and have thrown a lot of my plants out.  I took cuttings from those that had fairly good cutting material on them first.   I'm not sure how these cuttings will fare; only time will tell.  Cuttings taken about three weeks ago are now rooting well and will very soon need potting on.  Other plants in the greenhouse have been re-potted.  What we really need now are some bright sunny and warm days and the plants will really perk up and begin to grow. 

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"Bell" Ernie Oliver - dwarf zonal pelargonium

April 26, 2013, 8:24 am
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"Bell" Ernie Oliver

Introduced in 2012 by Gosbrook Pelargoniums and hybridised by Steve Pollard. A dwarf  zonal pelargonium, ‘Bell’ Ernie Oliver has beautiful deep rose pink flowers above gold leaves that have a bronze zone, making a very attractive plant.  Why ‘Bell’?  Steve named this plant for Ernie Oliver and as he had been a bell ringer, it was requested that this be recognised in the name of the plant.  

"Bell" Ernie Oliver

 After what has seemed like a very long winter, we have at last had some bright sunny days recently and it is amazing how the plants in the greenhouses have perked up.  I have removed the bubble wrap and cleaned the glass.  I have not yet put the fleece away yet as we have a change in our weather forecast for this weekend with frosts predicated.  With the warm days and chilly nights I have had quite a few leaves turning red.  These I have been removing from the plants.  As recommended by Ken Abel in his monthly tips column on The Pelargonium & Geranium Society website, I do not take these off the plant all at once; just a few at a time.  One thing I don’t do though is take the entire leaf and stem off – just the leaf, leaving the stem.  This is so that any diseases cannot enter the plant through the wound left from pulling of the leaf stem.  The stem very quickly dies in a matter of days and turns brown and brittle and is very easily pulled off. 

Zonal leaf turning red
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Frou Frou - Miniature Zonal Pelargonium - and visit to Belgium

May 21, 2013, 3:34 am
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'Frou Frou' - miniature zonal pelargonium


'Frou Frou' is a miniature zonal pelargonium with pretty semi-double flowers of red and small well zoned green leaves.   'Frou Frou' was given to me by the hybridiser Mollie Hall of Doncaster and is in the National Collection of Pelargoniums at Fibrex Nursery.  This 'Frou Frou' is not to be confused with the dwarf zonal pelargonium of the same name introduced by Vernon's a few year's ago, and which had pale pink flowers.  I am not sure this is still around - I found it a very difficult plant.

Leaves of Frou Frou - miniature zonal pelargonium
Here are a few views of the Nursery in Belgium I visited recently with my friend from California - Michiel's Fuchsia & Pelargonium Nursery is amazing and we picked up several plants not now readily available here in the UK.   The plants in the sales area were in tip top condition.  We even went back the next morning a bought some more!

Pelargonium sales area







Plants ready for packing and posting








The boot of my car (the daffodils were a free gift from the nursery)


Back seat - plants on top of cases.



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Princess Alexandra - a bi-coloured zonal - and Farnborough Pelargonium Show

June 10, 2013, 1:25 pm
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"Princess Alexandra" - bi-coloured zonal pelargonium
This week’s pelargonium is the bi-coloured zonal, Princess Alexandra.  A stunning coloured double flower of brightest pink which contracts well against the green leaves with a white zone.   Princess Alexandra was introduced by Clifton’s Nursery in 1982.


Leaves - "Princess Alexandra"

Last Saturday was the Annual Pelargonium Show of The Farnborough Fuchsia & Pelargonium Show.

Despite the difficult start, weather-wise, to the year, we were delighted that we had a record number of entries.   This was the first Show we have had in the Hall where we meet each month.   Previously we have booked either another hall, or for the last two years, we have been in a garden centre.    I took a few pictures, and I apologise for the quality – I only had my small camera with me.











Next Sunday - 16th June, will be the 5th NATIONAL SHOW of The Pelargonium & Geranium Society (PAGS).   It would be great if you could come along and support us.  The show will be held at Capel Manor Gardens, Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield, Middlesex, EN1 4RQ (just off Junction 25 of the M25).   You will be sure to see some great plants, and meet and chat to the exhibitors.

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PAGS Annual Show

July 1, 2013, 2:49 am
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The National Pelargonium & Geranium Society held their National Show at Capel Manor Gardens in Enfield, Middlesex earlier this month.  It was a smaller than usual show.   The difficult weather conditions we have experienced this year in the UK meant that many of our best exhibitors just did not have as many plants to enter.   The plants were excellent and up to the usual high standard we have come to expect from a National Show.















For further information about The Pelargonium & Geranium Society, see our website: http://thepags.org.uk
See our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/ThePelargoniumAndGeraniumSociety
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Mini Czech and visit to the National Collection of Pelargoniums

July 8, 2013, 8:16 am
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Mini Czech - dwarf zonal pelargonium
When I visited Michiel's Fuchsia & Pelargonium Nursery nursery in Belgium earlier this year (see my post on 21st May) I spotted the dwarf zonal pelargonium  "Mini- Czech".  I know I can get "Mini Czech" here, (Fibrex Nurseries sell it - see below)  but I was there, and I had not grown this plant for many years, so two plants were added to my basket.  I have a friend who is from The Czech Republic, so it was an ideal gift for her and I got one for me as well.

Mini Czech - dwarf zonal pelargonium

"Mini Czech" is a dwarf cactus flowered zonal pelargonium with stunning dark red quilled petals set against dark green leaves.  It was introduced here in the UK in 1991.  There are several other cactus flowered types – and probably the best known is Noel with pure white flowers.

I recently spent a wonderful day at Fibrex Nursery, home of the National Collection of Pelargoniums.   The collection was, as usual, looking splendid.    Fibrex Nursery is near Stratford upon Avon, and is definitely worth a visit.  The nursery is very well stocked with strong growing plants all very reasonably priced.  If you are not able to visit, they do mail order.
 




The Species Collection

The Species Collection

Sales Area

Sales Area

Sales Area
Fibrex Nurseries Lttd., Honeybourne Road, Pebworth, Nr. Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 8XP
Tel: 01789 720788
Website: www.fibrex.co.uk
Email: Sales@fibrex.co.uk





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South African Sun - gold leaf dwarf zonal pelargonium and a visit to the hybridisers greenhouse

July 23, 2013, 2:01 pm
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'South African Sun" Gold leaf dwarf zonal pelargonium
"South African Sun" just has to be the brightest pelargonium around.  Beautiful bright red double flowers topping gold coloured leaves without a zone on a dwarf growing plant.  

"South African Sun" was hybridised by Steve Pollard and won the class for a ‘new cultivar not in commerce’(at that time) at the *British and European Geranium Society Annual Show in 2001.  The plant is strong growing and short joined, making it an ideal exhibition plant.  It has won many awards for exhibitors at both local and National level.  

'South African Sun"  Gold leaf dwarf zonal pelargonium
 In May, when my friend from California was here, we made a short journey to visit Steve and his greenhouse.   We had a wonderful time looking at the new crosses and the new zonartics.  Thank you  Steve.  Here are some photo’s I took of our visit.


 

 











































* Now merged with The British Pelargonium & Geranium Society to become The Pelargonium & Geranium Society.   For further information on joining the Society see http://thepags.org.uk



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Pelargonium Elmsett - Dwarf gold leaf variety

August 19, 2013, 6:42 am
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Dwarf Pelargonium "Elmsett"
With double pale pink flowers spotted and splashed with a light red against gold zoned leaves, Pelargonium "Elmsett" is a dwarf type pelargonium.   Introduced some 30 years ago in 1983, Pelargonium "Elmsett" was hybridised by the late Ray Bidwell, and, as with most of his plants, was named after a village in his home county of Suffolk.  Pelargonium "Elmsett" can still be obtained from Fibrex Nursery and Fir Trees Nursery whose contact details are on listed on the Nurseries tab above.

With autumn fast approaching, and mindful that I am going to be away in France in early September, I am making a start on taking cuttings.  In the past I have used either ready purchased cuttings compost, or lately Fertiss Plugs, but I have been introduced to Coir plugs.   I have found these to be quite successful and hope to continue using them.  They come as compressed plugs and have to be 'awakened' in water.   Quite good value at £9.99 for 100 post free.
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Deacon Birthday - dwarf zonal pelargonium

August 28, 2013, 1:43 am
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Just one of  twenty-six in the Deacon series by The Rev'd. Stanley Stringer of Suffolk in the 1970's.  They were produced from crosses between ivy-leaf pelargoniums and miniature pelargoniums and introduced through the old Wyck Hill Geranium Nursery.   Many of these dwarf plants are compact and self branching, making them ideal exhibition plants.  Indeed, several of them are still shown on the benches today.

Deacon Birthday was introduced in 1978.  It has double orangey pink flowers merging to white and is most attractive.


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Vectis Finery -Stellar pelargonium

September 16, 2013, 7:35 am
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'Vectis Finery' - Stellar pelargonium

Another pelargonium by the late Brian West.   'Vectis Finery' is a stellar pelargonium with double spikey pink flowers.  It is a cross between Chelsea Star and Vectis Volcano.  Brian West used the pre-fix 'Vectis' for many of his pelargoniums.  He  lived on the Isle of Wight and Vectis is the old Roman name for the Isle of Wight.


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Black Prince, Regal Pelargonium & visit to Australia

November 6, 2013, 7:20 am
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Regal Pelargonium Black Prince has the darkest flowers and is one that is always asked about when RHS Wisley have their Pelargonium show in May each year. They are always surprised to know that it is an old variety, having been around since 1852.    The petals are a very dark maroon with a thin pale edge to them.  Dark centre to each petal with dark feathering out to the edge. The plant has a strong and bushy growing habit.




I've just come back from three weeks in Australia visiting family.   I had the most marvellous time and my sister Pauline arranged a few visits to other pelly folk in the Adelaide area. 


The first visit was to Rodger and Jenny Argent, members of the South Australian Geraniums and Pelargonium Society Inc. in Adelaide, of which I am also a member.   Here are a few pictures of their growing houses and their garden.







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DUNCAN EAGLES - ZONAL PELARGONIUM & AUSTRALIA VISIT

December 1, 2013, 8:41 am
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'Duncan Eagles' - zonal pelargonium
'Duncan Eagles' is a basic zonal pelargonium with  pink petals and, unusually, red spots and splashes and has green leaves.  This is another pelargonium raised by the late Brian West of the Isle of Wight, UK.   It is a cross between Brading and Golden Stardust.


During my recent visit to Adelaide in Australia I went to see Elaine Ward.   Elaine is not a relation of mine, although we share the same surname.  I had met Elaine on my last few visit to Adelaide when she was the President of The South Australian Geranium & Pelargonium Society Inc.   She has recently moved into a new home – still at the same address but in a newly built house.    With her son they built two adjoining properties , and Elaine now has a much smaller house and garden which is much easier for her to manage, with the added bonus of her son living next door to help if needed.   These photo’s are of Elaine’s new back yard, which is much easier for her to manage now.





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Wordless Wednesday 11/12/13. Ivy leaf pelargonium at RHS Wisley

December 11, 2013, 1:40 am
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Dwarf Zonal Pelargonium "Ben Nevis" and another Australian Pelargonium nursery

December 16, 2013, 11:24 am
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Ben Nevis - Dwarf Zonal

"Ben Nevis"" is a double white flowered dwarf zonal pelargonium and is unusual in that it has a slight green tinge when the buds are opening.  Once fully opened, there is no hint of green, but a very slight pink colour in the white.  The foliage is mid green with no zoning.   "Ben Nevis", named after the highest mountain in the U.K, was introduced in 1982 by Payne.

  









My second pelargonium trip when I was in South Australia was to the home and small nursery of Ann  and Frank Frahn.  They sell their plants in and around Adelaide at various local markets.   Their home with small nursery consisting of two poly tunnels (Australians call them igloos) is situated in the Inman Valley and has the most wonderful views towards the coast.  

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Wordless Wednesday 18/12/13 - Green Goddess ivy leaf pelargonium

December 18, 2013, 12:22 am
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Wordless Wednesday 1/1/14 - April Hamilton - ivy leaf pelargonium

January 1, 2014, 8:41 am
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