PERFECT PELARGONIUMS

Monday, 16 September 2013

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.

Wednesday, 28 August 2013

Deacon Birthday - dwarf zonal pelargonium

Just one of twenty-six in the Deacon series by The Rev'd. Stanley Stringer of Suffolk in the 1970's. They were produced from crosses between ivy-leaf pelargoniums and miniature pelargoniums and introduced through the old Wyck Hill Geranium Nursery. Many of these dwarf plants are compact and self branching, making them ideal exhibition plants. Indeed, several of them are still shown on the benches today.

Deacon Birthday was introduced in 1978. It has double orangey pink flowers merging to white and is most attractive.

Monday, 19 August 2013

Pelargonium Elmsett - Dwarf gold leaf variety

Dwarf Pelargonium "Elmsett"

With double pale pink flowers spotted and splashed with a light red against gold zoned leaves, Pelargonium "Elmsett" is a dwarf type pelargonium. Introduced some 30 years ago in 1983, Pelargonium "Elmsett" was hybridised by the late Ray Bidwell, and, as with most of his plants, was named after a village in his home county of Suffolk. Pelargonium "Elmsett" can still be obtained from Fibrex Nursery and Fir Trees Nursery whose contact details are on listed on the Nurseries tab above.

With autumn fast approaching, and mindful that I am going to be away in France in early September, I am making a start on taking cuttings. In the past I have used either ready purchased cuttings compost, or lately Fertiss Plugs, but I have been introduced to Coir plugs. I have found these to be quite successful and hope to continue using them. They come as compressed plugs and have to be 'awakened' in water. Quite good value at £9.99 for 100 post free.

Tuesday, 23 July 2013

South African Sun - gold leaf dwarf zonal pelargonium and a visit to the hybridisers greenhouse

'South African Sun" Gold leaf dwarf zonal pelargonium

"South African Sun" just has to be the brightest pelargonium around. Beautiful bright red double flowers topping gold coloured leaves without a zone on a dwarf growing plant.

"South African Sun" was hybridised by Steve Pollard and won the class for a ‘new cultivar not in commerce’(at that time) at the *British and European Geranium Society Annual Show in 2001. The plant is strong growing and short joined, making it an ideal exhibition plant. It has won many awards for exhibitors at both local and National level.

'South African Sun" Gold leaf dwarf zonal pelargonium

In May, when my friend from California was here, we made a short journey to visit Steve and his greenhouse. We had a wonderful time looking at the new crosses and the new zonartics. Thank you Steve. Here are some photo’s I took of our visit.

* Now merged with The British Pelargonium & Geranium Society to become The Pelargonium & Geranium Society. For further information on joining the Society see http://thepags.org.uk

Monday, 8 July 2013

Mini Czech and visit to the National Collection of Pelargoniums

Mini Czech - dwarf zonal pelargonium

When I visited Michiel's Fuchsia & Pelargonium Nursery nursery in Belgium earlier this year (see my post on 21st May) I spotted the dwarf zonal pelargonium "Mini- Czech". I know I can get "Mini Czech" here, (Fibrex Nurseries sell it - see below) but I was there, and I had not grown this plant for many years, so two plants were added to my basket. I have a friend who is from The Czech Republic, so it was an ideal gift for her and I got one for me as well.

Mini Czech - dwarf zonal pelargonium

"Mini Czech" is a dwarf cactus flowered zonal pelargonium with stunning dark red quilled petals set against dark green leaves. It was introduced here in the UK in 1991. There are several other cactus flowered types – and probably the best known is Noel with pure white flowers.

I recently spent a wonderful day at Fibrex Nursery, home of the National Collection of Pelargoniums. The collection was, as usual, looking splendid. Fibrex Nursery is near Stratford upon Avon, and is definitely worth a visit. The nursery is very well stocked with strong growing plants all very reasonably priced. If you are not able to visit, they do mail order.