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

"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.

Frou Frou - Miniature Zonal Pelargonium - and visit to Belgium

'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.

"Bell" Ernie Oliver - dwarf zonal pelargonium

"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

Regal Pelargonium "Aztec"

"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. 

DWARF PELARGONIUM 'CLAYDON'

"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.

SILVER GLITTER - MINIATURE BI-COLOURED STELLAR

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.