Pelargonium Foliage.

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 Pelargoniums get a bad rap. Which is not surprising when you see the dreary plants that are produced in the millions for sale in supermarkets and big-box stores. I'm always mystified at what attracts the punters to these miserable plants with ratty flowers and dull lifeless foliage. Whatever it is, growers are happy to supply this nasty "product" into the marketplace. 
How much more pleasing are the Pelargonium species and the thousands of cultivars that have been developed over the centuries with fabulous foliage and often lovely simple flowers. I'm showing a few that I grow, that are easy and rewarding in flower (I only like single flowers) and all have wonderful foliage.

P. 'Golden Ears'

P. 'Alpha'

P. 'Crocodile'

P. 'Golden Ears', P. 'Alpha' and P. 'Crystal Palace Gem'

I think this is created by Toronto area hybridizer Will Grainger.

P. 'Charity'

P. 'Ray Bidwell'

P. 'Dolly Vardon'

Comments

pat@siteandinsight.com said…
Really interesting to see these photos. I'll take a mixed dozen of Crocodile and Golden Ears. (if only..)
June 2, 2013 at 8:25 AM
LauraH said…
You certainly have a marvellous collection, such beautiful foliage colours and patterns.
June 2, 2013 at 12:52 PM
Far Hills Florist said…
Where do you find pelargonium varieties like this?
June 3, 2013 at 12:01 PM
Barry Parker said…
Hi Pat, Laura and Far Hills,

Glad you liked these plants. They are increasingly difficult to find due to a virus that has developed making it now impossible to import across international borders.
However Geranium and Pelargonium Societies are a good source of rare and unusual cultivars, not to mention old reliable ones that are equally beautiful.
I go for beautiful leaves and only like single flowers. Paul Zammet ( Hort Director of the Toronto Bot Gdns) is even less tolerant, and takes ALL the flowers off as they emerge!
June 3, 2013 at 5:31 PM
James David said…
Somethings that grow in your place that is so similar.
These looks so much like begonias and fittonias with different characteristics.

And of course - the commercial side often kills it with bulk and many variations of it.
June 10, 2013 at 2:55 AM
Barry Parker said…
Hi James,
You might be interested to know that a friend of mine tried Pelargoniums in a new garden in Barbados, most didn't like the tropical climate except for one, the species P. sidoides, which did really well.
June 10, 2013 at 6:27 AM
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