Wordless Wednesday 18/12/13 - Green Goddess ivy leaf pelargonium

Dwarf Zonal Pelargonium "Ben Nevis" and another Australian Pelargonium nursery

Ben Nevis - Dwarf Zonal

"Ben Nevis"" is a double white flowered dwarf zonal pelargonium and is unusual in that it has a slight green tinge when the buds are opening.  Once fully opened, there is no hint of green, but a very slight pink colour in the white.  The foliage is mid green with no zoning.   "Ben Nevis", named after the highest mountain in the U.K, was introduced in 1982 by Payne.

  

My second pelargonium trip when I was in South Australia was to the home and small nursery of Ann  and Frank Frahn.  They sell their plants in and around Adelaide at various local markets.   Their home with small nursery consisting of two poly tunnels (Australians call them igloos) is situated in the Inman Valley and has the most wonderful views towards the coast.  

Wordless Wednesday 11/12/13. Ivy leaf pelargonium at RHS Wisley

DUNCAN EAGLES - ZONAL PELARGONIUM & AUSTRALIA VISIT

'Duncan Eagles' - zonal pelargonium

'Duncan Eagles' is a basic zonal pelargonium with  pink petals and, unusually, red spots and splashes and has green leaves.  This is another pelargonium raised by the late Brian West of the Isle of Wight, UK.   It is a cross between Brading and Golden Stardust.

During my recent visit to Adelaide in Australia I went to see Elaine Ward.   Elaine is not a relation of mine, although we share the same surname.  I had met Elaine on my last few visit to Adelaide when she was the President of The South Australian Geranium & Pelargonium Society Inc.   She has recently moved into a new home – still at the same address but in a newly built house.    With her son they built two adjoining properties , and Elaine now has a much smaller house and garden which is much easier for her to manage, with the added bonus of her son living next door to help if needed.   These photo’s are of Elaine’s new back yard, which is much easier for her to manage now.

Black Prince, Regal Pelargonium & visit to Australia

Regal Pelargonium Black Prince has the darkest flowers and is one that is always asked about when RHS Wisley have their Pelargonium show in May each year. They are always surprised to know that it is an old variety, having been around since 1852.    The petals are a very dark maroon with a thin pale edge to them.  Dark centre to each petal with dark feathering out to the edge. The plant has a strong and bushy growing habit.

I've just come back from three weeks in Australia visiting family.   I had the most marvellous time and my sister Pauline arranged a few visits to other pelly folk in the Adelaide area. 

The first visit was to Rodger and Jenny Argent, members of the South Australian Geraniums and Pelargonium Society Inc. in Adelaide, of which I am also a member.   Here are a few pictures of their growing houses and their garden.

Vectis Finery -Stellar pelargonium

'Vectis Finery' - Stellar pelargonium

Another pelargonium by the late Brian West.   'Vectis Finery' is a stellar pelargonium with double spikey pink flowers.  It is a cross between Chelsea Star and Vectis Volcano.  Brian West used the pre-fix 'Vectis' for many of his pelargoniums.  He  lived on the Isle of Wight and Vectis is the old Roman name for the Isle of Wight.