EASY-PEASY PLEASERS: Reliable and hardy, pelargoniums are a summer gift that keeps on giving
- Most of the 270 species of wild pelargoniums are native to South Africa
- Nigel Colborn says that wherever you live the flowers are available to you
- UK-based gardening expert says that apart from scarlet, flowers come in a range of pinks, orange or white
Nothing is sweeter, for travelling gardeners, than seeing favourite plants in their native habitats. So on my first trip to South Africa in 1995, I was hoping to see truly wild pelargoniums.
Still jet-lagged, we went walking on Paarl Mountain, near Cape Town. At my feet I noticed several straggly plants with blue-grey, feathery leaves and tiny white flowers. They were unmistakeably pelargoniums.
‘Pelargonium artemisiifolium’, said John, our erudite guide, ‘but you’ll see better.’
Most of the 270 species are native to South Africa. The most widely hybridised is P. zonale — classic, chubby- stemmed ‘geraniums’, many with red flowers. Pelargoniums and geraniums are the same genus, the difference is the shape of their flowers.
Most of the 270 species of wild pelargoniums are native to South Africa. Apart from scarlet, flowers come in a range of pinks, orange or white
Regals, which bloom in a trumpet shape, were developed from magenta flowered P. cucullatum, crossed with other species.
Apart from outstanding garden value, pelargoniums, such as P. Abelina, are among the most reliable non-hardy plants. They are easy to grow, flourish in a wide range of conditions and many are lovely as house or conservatory plants.
So wherever you live and whatever your soil-type, the world of pelargoniums is at your feet.
Even with minimal space, these are among the best and easiest for container culture. They flower almost constantly and need little maintenance. Few have floral fragrance, but the leaves have a pleasant aroma.
POPS OF COLOUR
Pelargonium zonale is probably the best-known. Apart from scarlet, flowers come in a range of pinks, orange or white. The leaves are typically rounded, often with attractive markings. The stems are thick and not very flexible. Zonals are easy and tolerant. All they need is plenty of daylight and free-draining soil.
New varieties appear each year but the best ‘oldsters’ have never been surpassed. Among those, the old variety P. Paul Crampel is the best scarlet. There are also pinks, magentas, fiery orange and white.
Foliage varies, too, from plain green to markings of bronze, cream, or primrose. Dolly Varden, another oldie, has leaves marked with yellow and rust. Among other types, colours and habits are more variable.
In the Unique range, Purple Unique carries mauve blooms on leafy, 1m stems. Scarlet Unique grows half that height. Try specialist fibrex.co.uk.
For containers or sunny borders, there are also decorative varieties and some have a rambling habit . Favourites include magenta and dark purple Ashby and spreading, lacy-leaved Scarlet Pet, and lots more almost all easy to grow and to propagate.
A SIMPLE CYCLE
Pelargoniums are tolerant, but good drainage is essential. In limited space, they make terrific container plants. Use a general-purpose, peat-free growing medium and make sure all pots drain freely.
Flowering is best in good light, preferably in full sun. Ivy-leaf trailing varieties are a little more shade tolerant. But they flower more profusely in sun.
If you have a frost-free greenhouse, you need never buy more than a single plant of each variety. Pelargoniums root readily and quickly from cuttings.
If you set those for rooting in late September, they’ll become strong plants by next spring.
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