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In Bloom

Pelargonium spp. are located in Entry Garden (Beds 5A-E), Garden of Fragrance (Beds 11A-K) and Cape Province Garden (Beds 27A-K).

Location Scientific Name Pelargonium spp. Family Geraniaceae Plant Type Perennial, Succulent, and Shrubs Environment Good drainage and full sun are vital. The soil should be a good open texture with added grit. Water well, but don't keep the plants too wet, watering should be adjusted season to season. Bloom Known to bloom repeatedly throughout the year. Uses Pelargonium spp. grow very well in pots, especially window boxes and are great for lining entrance ways. Their habit is particularly nice when planted in the ground as well and can be used to 'fill in' low areas or drape down a rock wall. More Info Some species of Pelargonium such as P. graveolens are important in the perfume industry and are cultivated and distilled for their scent. Cut leaves finely and use to flavor cakes, jellies, sauces, and even vinegars. Lay whole leaves under cakes where they will release their subtle flavoring. Toss the delicate flowers into salads.

Pelargoniums grow naturally in the Cape Province of South Africa. In the 17th century they were brought to Europe and called geraniums, a common mistake that persists to this day. Although both are in the same family, Geraniaceae, they are two completely different genera of plants. Most of the showy plants found in many nurseries today are hybrid pelargoniums, the result of human tampering.

Both genera are named for their elongated birdbeak-shaped fruits. Pelargonium means ‘stork's bill’ (Greek: pelargos = stork), and Geranium means ‘crane's bill’ (Greek; geranos = crane. They can be distinguished by the shape of their flowers. Pelargoniums have bilateral symmetry which means they can be divided into two equal halves, also known as zygomorphic or irregular. Geraniums have radial symmetry, where the flower is round, all parts equal, also known as actinomorphic or regular.

A favorite group is the scented pelargoniums, prized not for their somewhat insignificant flowers, but their fragrant foliage. The variety of scents includes lemon, pineapple, rose, lime, apple and peppermint. In Victorian times, stairways and garden paths were lined with pots of scented pelargoniums so long garments would brush the leaves and perfume the air.

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Magnolia campbellii January	Magnolia denudata February	Magnolia x veitchii March
Iris douglasiana April

Acer palmatum 'Sango kaku' January	Magnolia campbellii 'Darjeeling' February	Bomarea spp. March
Rhododendron occidentale April	Polystichum munitum May	x Chiranthofremontia lenzii June
Salvia leucantha July	Hydrangea seemannii August	Wollemia nobilis September
Cyathea cooperi October	Pinus radiata November	Correa spp. December

Garrya elliptica January	Magnolia x soulangeana February	Senecio glastifolius March
Ribes spp. April	Oxalis oregana May	Calandrinia grandiflora June
Taxus baccata July	Romneya coulteri August	Passiflora parritae September
Malvaviscus arboreus October	Monterey Cypress November	Aloe arborescens December

Aloe plicatilis January	Banksia seminuda February	Zantedeschia aethiopica March
Magnolia laevifolia April	Araucaria heterophylla May	Toxicodendron diversilobum June
Clarkia sp. July	Agapanthus August	Brugmansia September
Cedrus spp. October	Protea repens November	Camellia sinensis December

Thujopsis dolabrata January	Gordonia longicarpa February	Rojasianthe superba March
Echium spp. April	Iris douglasiana May	Digitalis purpurea June
Felicia amelloides July	Ceroxylon quindiuense August	Amaryllis belladonna September
Ginkgo biloba October	Acer morrisonense November	Ilex aquifolium December

Picea sitchensis January	Telanthophora grandifolia February	Aeonium arboreum 'Schwartzkopf' March
Leptospermum April	Salvia gesneraeflora May	Lavandula spp. June
Pelargonium July	Fuchsia paniculata August	Luma apiculata September
Luculia October	Arbutus unedo November	Cycad December

Restionaceae January	Hellebores February	Ceanothus March
Rhododendron April	Psoralea pinnata May	Fremontodendron californicum June
Leucadendron argenteum July	Crocosmia August	Gunnera tinctoria September
Pellaea rotundifolia October	Fuchsia boliviana November	Erica canaliculata December

Magnolia campbelli January	Magnolia denudata February	Camellia March
Geranium maderense April	Acmena smithii May	Eschscholzia californica June
Dendromecon harfordii July	Romneya coulteri August	Eupatorium purpureum September
Epilobium canum sp. October	Grevillea spp. November	Drimys winteri December