Pelargonium geraniums

OH I am confused
I want to find and plant the OLD GERANIUMS that come each year, usually red ?
(but I am not really bothered about the colour, I just like the smell and the fact they come again)

Jack McH

 

The nurseries confuse us by using the name pelargonium and geranium interchangeably. I'm still struggling with this.

I like the 'traditional' wild looking ones. The ones that are clearly related to the 'speedwell' ones that grow on roadside verges in Derbyshire and elsewhere.

I'm less of a fan of the fake looking geraniums that we increasingly see in council maintained parks.

My former neighbour, Derek, had the most amazing clump of vivid purple flowers that seemed to glow in the twighlight. The bees were crazy for it too. Trouble is I can't remember what he said it was.

 

Thank you, Sheal. Yes, probably

Ok, I'll put it another way: the first is .... a cranesbill (I've probably got that wrong now too )

 

My favourite pelargonium "Frank Headley".

 

Thanks for putting the picture up Jenny, hopefully we've cleared the issue up between us now.

Jack, is this what you are talking about?

 

Mum, yes you're right, a Geranium is otherwise known as Cranesbill.

 

Jack, if you google zonal pelargonium the distinction between the two is obvious!! Zonal pelargoniums are also available with lovely leaves in 3 colours but these cannot be grown by seed you have to take cuttings. Also Regal pelargoniums are lovely but they are not frost hardy. Geraniums are very hardy and are much more shrub like.

Val