"Sweet Jess" - Rosebud type zonal pelargonium - and coir plugs

The Rosebud type zonal pelargonium “Sweet Jess” is a recent acquisition for me.   Followers of my Blog will know that I have a penchant for buying pelargoniums with names that have some relevance for me.   My second grand daughter is named Jessica – so of course, I had to have this one, apart from the fact it is really beautiful – as is our own Jessica.  

This dwarf zonal pelargonium, “Sweet Jess” was introduced in the UK by Hodgson in 1996.  The rosebud type flowers are a delicate light rose pink and the leaves are a mid  green with a brown blotch.

As promised in my last blog here are some photo’s of the Coir plugs I recently bought on eBay.

I am really pleased with these.  As you will see in the last photograph, they are much smaller than the coir plugs I used previously.  These were open top and bottom, just in a 'sleeve', so if the plugs dried out on a hot day, the coir tended to fall out.   These new Jiffy plugs are folded at one end so the filling does not fall out.   I have yet to find out if the sleeves rot away.

Cuttings above are: P. fulgidum, P. "W.I. Celebration" and P."Redondo".

Peggy West - Dwarf Gold leaf zonal pelargonium

Dwarf gold leaf zonal pelargonium "Peggy West"

Raised by the late Brian West, this one is named for his wife Peggy, and introduced around 1989.    The peachy salmon double flowers of "Peggy West" contrast nicely against the gold leaves.    This is a dwarf plant with a slightly sprawling habit.

I have taken a few more cuttings using the new Peat Free Coir Plugs I got on eBay.    The cuttings I took a few weeks ago have now mostly rooted.  I really like these plugs as they are slightly smaller than the ones I previously used, and I find the filling does not fall out so easily. Each plug of coir is enclosed within a small 'envelope' of fibrous fabric, which I am told rots away easily.  I will take a picture of them for my next post.

"Happy Thought" and "Pink Happy Thought" - zonal pelargoniums

"Happy Thought"

The butterfly zoned bi-coloured zonal pelargonium “Happy Thought” will be making an appearance in our garden centres very soon, if not already, in readiness for summer bedding displays here in the UK.  This is also sometimes called “A Happy Thought”.

An old variety, “Happy Thought” was introduced in the UK in 1873 by Lynes.  The flowers are Cherry Red and single.   The leaves of this plant are also as attractive as the flowers, having a central white butterfly zone and a wide bright green edge.  In some light a faint red zone can be seen.

It’s continued popularity is probably due to it being a vigorous plant, quickly growing into a well shaped medium, large plant.  Ideal for our short summers.

"Pink Happy Thought"

Sometimes also available in our garden centres is “Pink Happy Thought”.  This is apparently a sport from “Happy Thought” and introduced in the USA.  Again, this has single flowers, but the flowers are an attractive mauve-pink colour.  The leaves have a central gold or ivory butterfly zoning with a faint red zone and a dark green edge.  It often reverts to a plain green leaf.  The plant is more spindly and lax than “Happy Thought”.

"Jips Bunjy" - Dwarf coloured leaf pelargonium

"Jips Bunjy"

The coloured leaf pelargoniums come into their own at this time of year, and "Jips Bunjy" is certainly doing her best to show off her stunning leaves.    Raised by Tony Burgess (UK), the soft mauve pink double flowers have a small central white eye.   No flowers yet on my plant, but the leaves more than make up for the lack of flowers.  

Jips Bunjy can be obtained through Fibrex Nurseries.   Take a look at their other plants by clicking on the link.

Weather still appallingly chilly and very windy here.  My plants are just ticking over and I have had to have the heating on overnight several times now.   Despite being told this winter had been the warmest on record, I have definitely had the heaters on more this winter than I did last winter.

Win Ellison - Stellar Pelargonium

Stellar Pelargonium "Win Ellison"

Raised by the late Brian West, Win Ellison is a double stellar with bright pink flowers with a white throat, Win Ellison is a cross between Vectis Sunshine and Sammi Brougham.

There is not a lot going on just now in the greenhouses, apart from checking over the plants and removing any dead or dying leaves.  The weather is still dampish and chilly, and we have had a couple of hard frosts when the temperatures have plummeted, so the heaters have had to be turned on overnight.   The plants have had a watering with high nitrogen feed so I am hoping that when warmer weather arrives, hopefully soon, there will be some good growth to be seen.

"Charmay Marjorie" - Angel Pelargonium

Angel Pelargonium - "Charmay Marjorie"

"Charmay Marjorie" an Angel Pelargonium was raised by Ken Attfield of Australia before 1999.   The large flowers are a pale lavender colour with a deep mauve blotch on the upper petals.  It has an upright habit and is short jointed.    Ken named this plant for Marj Edwards, who is another well known Australian Hybridiser.

The weather here is chilly and we have had some very strong winds.   Fortunately only two or three frosty nights, so heaters have not been on often.  A couple of  chilly, frost-free nights I covered the plants over with fleece.      I am still feeding with a balanced feed, but my next feel I will move to half-strength High Nitrogen  to kick start the plants into growth.    Once into March I will revert back to the balanced feel for several weeks.   Some of the autumn cuttings have been potted on, and I still have a few more to do.