PERFECT PELARGONIUMS: July 2013

Tuesday, 23 July 2013

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

'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

Monday, 8 July 2013

Mini Czech and visit to the National Collection of Pelargoniums

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.