PERFECT PELARGONIUMS

Wednesday, 29 November 2017

Zonal Pelargonium "Edwards Joyce" The South Australian Pelargonium Show

Edwards Joyce is one of the beautiful pelargoniums raised by the well known Australian hybridiser, Marj Edwards.

I took this photograph at the South Australian Geranium & Pelargonium Society Annual Show. I have close family in Adelaide who I love to visit as much as I can, usually every couple of years or so, but I am also a member of SAGPS. I was honoured to once again judge the Best in Show together with Marj Edwards. Although the standard was very high and there were several plants we could have chosen, we jointly agreed on this magnificent plant of Appleblossom Rosebud, grown and exhibited by Paul Sabel. Well done Paul. It's a beautiful plant and we had never seen so many flowers on Appleblossom Rosebud.

The following are some photographs of the plant sales. This is a huge event with members of the public coming from far and wide to attend and purchase beautiful well-grown pelargoniums

Setting up

Bringing in the plants

Rodger Argent (in red cap) checks his plants are still in good condition after the drive from his home.

Joyce Gepp directs proceedings

Heather Heinecke checks the plants

A final check by Lorraine Kernick and Rodger Argent

Early purchases

Ready for the customers

Interstate visitors and me

Janet Martin, WA, Marj Edwards, Vic. Ken Pilgrim, Lorraine Pilgrim, Vic.
Me (UK) and Mark of Marks Plants People Nature Facebook page.

I was contacted a few days ago by Thompson & Morgan asking if I would mind them mentioning this blog on their blog? Would I Mind? Of course I wouldn't mind. Today I received a note in my InBox saying the blog was out and giving me the link which I will add below. Of course, you will all have seen my blogs that it mentions, but there are eleven more garden and flower blogs mentioned for you to enjoy as well.

Thank you T&M

https://blog.thompson-morgan.com/12-fabulous-flower-growing-bloggers/

Zonartic Pelargonium "Lara Welcome"

Lara Welcome is on the new zonartic pelargoniums - a cross between a zonal pelargonium and P. articulatum - a species pelargonium - hence the name "Zonartic". They were bred by the late Cliff Blackman of Australia in his quest to produce a yellow pelargonium. He did produce yellow pelargonium and lots of other beautiful zonartics on the way. Lara Welcome is one of the beautiful flowers he produced along the way to they yellow pelargonium.

Below is a photograph I took of Cliff at the Conference I attended in Geelong, Australia in 2009. This shows him with one of his yellow pelargoniums

Monday, 2 October 2017

Gold leaf dwarf zonal pelargonium "Mimi"

Dwarf gold leaf zonal pelargonium "Mimi"

I came across this plant last year at The Pelargonium & Geranium Society's AGM where we have a small sale of plants/cuttings donated by members to help boost our funds. This one immediately caught my eye because of the gold leaves and, as it was a cutting and not in flower,I had no idea what the flowers looked like. I was thrilled when it did flower to find they were the most delightful shade of pink.

"Mimi" was raised by Sam Peat before 1984. It has double powder pink flowers that have a paler pink reverse to the petals, all set against gold leaves.

I've been busy in the greenhouses and garden for the past six weeks or so. The bubblewrap is up and I have cut most of my pelargoniums right back. Cuttings have been taken and many of them potted up. I am hoping to finish potting up those last remaining few before the end of the week. The reason for all this activity? I am off to Australia shortly to visit my family there. When I am there I will be helping with the South Australia Geranium & Pelargonium Society Inc Annual Show and plant sale. This is a two day event and very popular. The plant sale is Huge. I will post pictures of the show and sale next month.

Thursday, 7 September 2017

Dwarf Tri-colour pelargonium "Jip's Timmy" and Kew Gardens

"Jip's Timmy"

The Dwarf Tri-colour zonal pelargonium, "Jip's Timmy" is a firm favourite of mine. The double pale pink flowers go well with the tri-coloured leaves - something I find is not always the case with tri-coloured leaf zonals. Pelargoniums with the pre-fix "Jip's" are raised by Tony Burgess, UK. He told me 'Jip' was the name of a favourite family dog.

I went to Kew Gardens this week with the Village Garden Club. It is several years since I was there last. Sadly we did not have good weather for our trip. Fortunately it was dry most of the day, but it was very dull and overcast. I opted to go on the walking tour with a Guide and we were in a group of 12. Unfortunately we found it difficult to hear the Guide, partly because of the noise from the aeroplanes overhead (Kew is under the flight path from Heathrow Airport), but also the lady had a very quiet voice. Having said that, we did find it mostly informative. She pointed out some of the original plants in the famous Palm House and then several trees around the grounds. For the afternoon, we were free to go where we wanted and my friend and I opted for the Princess Of Wales glasshouse - well my choice really as I love the plants growing in this temperate glass house. Orchids, lots of orchids, ferns and other tropical plants. Cacti and succulents and, of course, several pelargoniums. We then went to the Alpine House, and then on to the Bonsai - Marie's choice. I discovered a part of Kew I had not visited before - the small Bonsai section, two vegetable gardens (the students and Kew's), flowers beds and a huge rockery area. It had started to rain by this time and, as it was not long before we had to board our coach for home, we decided it was time for a cup of tea and a cake.