Pelargonium Types

Zonal, Regal and Other Varieties

Long a favourite garden plant Pelargoniums come in many species and cultivars are readily available for sale from online from mail order nurseries.

Relatively easy to grow and include, Regal, Zonal, Ivy leaf, Deacons, Angels, Staphs and sweet scented.

For growing in the garden or in pots use a humus and compost rich soil or potting mix.

Potash will help increase flowering, overfeeding may encourage a little to much leaf growth.

List of Pelargonium Types

• Zonal Pelargoniums
  
  Sometimes called bedding geraniums, they have smooth attractive foliage with a dark patch in their centre.
  
  The flowers are small but pretty, the main attraction of Zonals is the band of colour on the foliage and they are long flowering. The Botanical Name is Pelargonium hortorum.
  
• Ivy Leafed Pelargoniums
  Foliage reminiscent of Ivy (hence the Name) and a trailing habit. Ivy leafed pelargoniums are bred from P. peltatum.
  
  Often used in hanging baskets or for planting where they can trail over a garden wall. Lots of pretty flowers, mostly glossy leaves and long flowering. The Botanical Name is Pelargonium pelatum.
  
• Scented-leaf Pelargoniums
  The small dense foliage of Scented m types give these the name. When brushed against or crushed they give of a very pleasant perfume or fragrance. P. crispum is the ‘lemon scented geranium’ and P. graveolens is the ‘Rose Scented geranium’. P. citrosum is the citronella plant
  
• Regal Pelargoniums
  Its the flowers that are ‘Regal’. Regal varieties are bushy with lots of large flowers. Early summer flowering, they do not like frosts, however are easy to grow. The Botanical Name is Pelargonium domesticum and they are hybrids between P. grandiflorum and P. cucullatum
  
• Angel
  Really just a smaller and compact type similar to the regals.
  
• Unique
  Similar to the scented leaf types but with larger leaves.

Other Varieties include : Decorative, Staph and of course the Species.

What’s the difference between a Pelargonium and a Geranium?

They are related, but they are different. Generally speaking Pelargonium are tender perennials, Geraniums are hardy perennials.

Plants sold as “Ivy Geranium”, “Scented Geranium” and “Zonal Geranium” are actually Pelargoniums.
Geraniums go under the name of “Hardy Geranium”, “Geranium” or “Cranes Bill”

Plants are available for sale from the following nurseries

PERENNIALLE PLANTS - phone: 0427077798 
52 Rodd St Canowindra NSW 2804
An online nursery specialising in drought and frost tolerant perennials and fragrant, edible and herbs.
www.perennialle.com.au

 

LYNN'S RARE PLANTS
PO Box 7040 Leura NSW 2780
Rare woodland plants, Trilliums Epimediums, Arisaemas, plus much more.www.lynnsrareplants.com.au

TESSELAAR BULBS - Phone: 1300 428 527
357 Monbulk Road SILVAN VIC 3795
Guaranteed "garden worthy" bulbs, plants and perennials. Visit the website to browse our large range of daffodils or request the latest free catalogue.
www.tesselaar.net.au