“MARMALADE” – MINIATURE ZONAL PELARGONIUM

Miniature zonal pelargonium "Marmalade"

This delightful miniature zonal pelargonium was introduced in the USA by Frances Hartsook in 1960.  The plant is aptly named “Marmalade” and has double orange coloured flowers.   The leaves are a very dark green with a darker zone which set of the colour of the flowers perfectly.   

I have to admit, that my choice of plant this week was governed by the name.  Seville oranges are available right now – for just about two weeks, so I must make sure I pick some up at the market on Friday to make marmalade for this year.

The flooding I had in one of my greenhouses has now subsided, thank goodness.  If the rain had continued for much longer I was going to remove all the plants from that greenhouse into the other one which is situated in a slightly higher and drier part of the greenhouse.  I had to do this a couple of years ago.  At times I find the distance between the two greenhouses a bit of a bind – carrying trays backwards and forwards with cuttings and such.   Like everyone else, I am hoping that the rain does not return.  I can cope with cold, but not wet.  

I took advantage of a couple of dry afternoons this week to take a few cuttings – they should be OK in my small propagators’ which are in the conservatory.   I can keep a close eye on them there, and one of them has a small light fixture over it which helps at this time of year.

Angel Pelargonium "Michael"

Hybridised by Jay Kapac of California, U.S.A. and introduced in 2000, the angel pelargonium “Michael” is one of my favourites.    With a dark, almost black, centre merging to a burgundy wine colour with a broad white edging,  “Michael” has a lax growth and is ideal for growing in a hanging pot.   Fir Trees Nursery had some splendid hanging pots of “Michael” at their shows a few years ago.     Plant two or three in an 8” hanging pot and keep turning the pot regularly for even growth.  Keep pinching the plants and feed with high potash  to promote plenty of flowers.   Angels grow quickly, and you will have a good show in the first year, but far better in its second year.

Regal Pelargonium "Glowing Ember"

Regal Pelargonium "Glowing Ember"

Hybridised in Australia by the late Ted Both, and introduced in 1959, "Glowing Ember" is a regal type pelargonium with a compact growth habit. The flowers are a rich golden orange with a violet/lavender and typically feathered centre.   

Ted Both is better known as the introducer of the Stellar pelargoniums  but he also hybridised many other types of pelargoniums.

My photograph was taken last year at the National Collection of Pelargoniums. You can find the details here, or under the Pelargonium Nurseries page above.

Vectis Embers - dwarf bi-coloured zonal pelargonium

Dwarf bi coloured zonal "Vectis Embers"

A really attractive dwarf zonal with spotted red petals on white, which contrast nicely with the green and white bi-coloured leaves. Pelargonium "Vectis Embers" was hybridised by the late Brian West and introduced by Gosbrook Pelargniums in 2009.  Brian West gave the pre-fix ‘Vectis’ to many of his plants.   He lived on the Isle of Wight and Vectis is the old Roman name for the Island.

Leaves of Zonal pelargonium "Vectis Embers"

One of my greenhouses was flooded again when we had the recent heavy rain.  The other greenhouse which was not, oddly, had some botrytis on the plants.  I spent a day grooming all the plants in the greenhouse and everything looks a lot fresher now.  Fortunately the flooding receded quickly and the plants in that greenhouse do not seem to have been affected by the botrytis.

Jacqui Caws - Dwarf Zonal Pelargonium

Dwarf Zonal Pelargonium "Jacqui Caws"

I wish I had a photograph to show you of a whole plant of this in bloom.   It is quite beautiful with the pink and white double flowers.  "Jacqui Caws" is a Dwarf Zonal pelargonium, which flowers prolifically.  The leaves are a dark green and the plant is short jointed.   This is another of Brian West’s raisings, and is a cross between the zonal "Stenbury" and "Faye Brawner", which is a stellar.  "Jacqui Caws" was introduced by Sulmans Nursery. 

CHARITY - A SCENTED LEAF PELARGONIUM

Scented leaf pelargonium "Charity"

Scented leaf pelargoniums don't all have spectacular flowers, or leaves.   In the main it is their scent that is the attraction.  On a cold winter morning in the greenhouse, it is a joy to rub a leaf from a scented variety and be instantly transported to summer!  The scents vary from variety to variety.  Most have a lemony, or citrus scent; some are minty, some quite pungent, and some have a rose scent.  One of these rose scented types, and a personal favourite, is "Charity".  Like a lot of the scented varieties, "Charity" is a sport from an unknown rose type scented pelargonium.  It was found in the gardens of the Nauvoo Restoration Village in Illinois, U.S.A. around 1990 and named and introduced by Faye Brawner.

The flowers are small and of a typical primitive single form, as most of the scented types have.  It is, however  the leaves that are the attraction with "Charity" as well as the rose scent.  They are large and deeply incised and lime green in colour and with a deep gold edge.  Unlike many variegated types. "Charity" is not a slow grower and quickly develops into a large and striking plant.   I like to grow this in a tub placed in a sunny spot in the summer.