LEMON FANCY - SCENTED LEAF PELARGONIUM

The Pelargonium Register lists this as being a cross between “Mabel Grey” and, presumably, an unknown scented pelargonium.   The flowers are mauve with dark feathering on the top petals.   The serrated leaves of lime green colour have a strong lemon scent.  Introduced in the UK before 1979 by Bowie.

We are still experiencing very mild weather here in the South East of the UK.   It is extremely windy and damp.  We all feel for the folk up in the North of England and Scotland experiencing flood after flood.  I cannot imagine how it must be for them.  I can remember how I felt when we had our own garden floods a couple of years ago – I cannot imagine how it must be for your home to be flooded – not once, but three times.  Oh, I do hope these storms are over soon so they can get back to normal. 

I am keeping a sharp eye out in the greenhouses for aphids, having found clusters of greenfly on the primulas planted in an outside window box.   The botrytus seems to have gone – I am just finding the odd plant with a grey looking leaf – but I am being vigilant in removing all yellowing leaves.  

The greenhouses are very green looking g at this time of year, but there are a few with flowers and I thought you would like to see what is out just now

Caliente Fire - Dwarf zonal pelargonium

Charmay Ward - Stellar pelargonium

Win Ellison - Stellar pelargonium

Charmay Omega - Miniature Stellar pelargonium

Charmay Cocky - Basic Zonal pelargonium

 

Telstar - Miniature zonal pelargonium

Emmi - Stellar pelargonium

HAPPY NEW YEAR NEW 

Miniature Zonal Pelargonium - "Ballerina"

S

WISHING YOU A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS

Henry Jonquet - Dwarf zonal pelargonium

Henry Jonquet - Dwarf zonal pelargonium

Dwarf zonal with red/purple coloured flowers above green leaves with a white margin.   The Pelargonium Register lists this as being introduced in 1900.  So it's a fairly old variety.

There's been a bit of a battle here so far this winter with damp conditions, although it has been so mild I have only had my heaters on overnight twice.  I do have bubble wrap up, but not on the fronts of the greenhouses.  That bit is so easy to put up that I leave it off as long as I can in order to let more light into the greenhouses.  This year is the latest I have ever left it off.

Every day I am out in the greenhouse picking off mouldy leaves and anything that looks as if it is ‘going over’.   I also had a day recently taking off many of the larger leaves in order to maintain more air space around each plant.  

Watering is also being done  far more frequently at this time of year. Usually I find I can get away with ten days or so, even two weeks, but not this year!    I am watering weekly, sometimes twice a week if I spot a very dry looking plant.  I wonder if this is the way things are going to be in future?

Wordless Wednesday - 16/12/15 - "Suffolk Garnet"

Wordless Wednesday- 09/12/15 - "Richard A Costain"

Wordless Wednesday - 02/12/15 - Androcles - Angel Pelargonium