Greek pelargos — stork, referring to the resemblance of the beak of the fruit to the beak of the stork.
Annual and perennial herbs, occasionally shrubs, sometimes with tuberous roots, the stems sometimes succulent and swollen. Leaves simple or compound, alternate, palmate or pinnate and usually lobed or toothed, sometimes hairy, fleshy or aromatic; stipules present. Flowers bisexual, irregular, scentless except in some species at nightfall. Sepals 5, with a spur at the base of the sepal closest to the axis, visible as a swelling in the flower stalk. Petals mostly 5 (sometimes 2, 3 or 4 or double), the 2 upper petals generally larger than the lower 3, mostly white, pink or purple in wild plants, but also in yellows, deep reds and near-blacks in cultivated plants (no blues). Stamens 10 but only 3-7 generally fertile. Fruit of 5 1-seeded units.
This genus contains many of the plants popularly known as geraniums. Horticulturally, it is the most important genus of the family, known through P. ×hortorum, the zonal pelargoniums, P. ×domesticum, the regal pelargoniums, and a wide range of scented species. The International Registration Authority has already recorded more than 15 000 names. In Australia specialist collectors have extensive collections. In horticulture pelargoniums are widely and incorrectly referred to as geraniums.
Brief history of Pelargonium breeders in Australia: Pelargoniums are extremely popular in Australia and there are several societies devoted to them around the continent. An account of the early history of geraniums and pelargoniums cultivated in Australia is given in Swinbourne (1979) and details of hybridisers is given in Australian Geraniums, a book produced by the Geranium and Pelargonium Society of Sydney in 1988. It appears that early introductions began in the mid-19th century, Michael Guilfoyle's Exotic Nursery at Double Bay, NSW, being one of the first to stock them. An 1851 catalogue lists 'Hobart Town' and 'Maid of Tasmania', which were probably of local origin and in the 1870s, the Adelaide Botanic Garden had a major collection of ornamental pelargoniums. From the turn of the century to the 1920s, many nurseries carried large listings of pelargoniums, including cultivars of Australian origin, at a time when they also shared great popularity both in England and on the Continent. During and after the depression interest ebbed but it picked up again from the late 1940s through to the 1960s.At this time a few nurseries began specialising in pelargoniums. Prominent breeders were J.R. Blakeman, L.R. Bodey, E. Both (Tunias Nursery), F.R.E. Coates,Mrs R. Holborow (Retah Nursery),Mrs R. Holmes, F.D. Lance, G.Morf (Morf's Margot Nurseries), and W.H.Wood. In the 1960s to 70s there were several new cultivar groups established, including Both's Staphs, Both's Zonquil Hybrids, Bodey's Formosum Hybrids, Uniques and Angels. Recently, Cliff Blackman of Drysdale, Vic, has crossed a zonal pelargonium with (possibly) P. articulatum, the progeny being backcrossed to produce a much-prized and elusive yellow, zonal-like pelargonium: these have become known as 'Zonartic'. Probably in excess of 1000 cultivars have been raised in Australia and it is not practical to present all the names here.
Seed is used for species that are difficult to raise from cuttings; tuberous-rooted species are multiplied by division.
A range of oils is distilled from the leaves and shoots of various species and used widely in the perfume and oil industries; there are also various culinary and medicinal applications.
Flowers irregular, with 5 petals, the upper 2 generally larger than the lower 3; there is a spur at the base of the sepal closest to the axis, generally visible as a swelling in the flower stalk (seen more easily if the stalk is sectioned). Fruit splitting open into single-seeded parts, generally with a coiling feathered tail, cf. Geranium.
VIC: Beryl and Geoff Stockton,Tyabb; Geelong Botanic Gardens; Pelargonium Society of Southern Victoria.
About 280 species,mostly from S Africa but a few species from tropical Africa, Australia and the Mediterranean. Australia has 6 endemic species.
Dobay (1977), van der Walt & Vorster (1977-88), Swinbourne (1979), Llewellyn et al. (1981), Olivier & van der Walt (1984), Yeo (1985), Delamain & Kendall (1987), Clark (1988), Scheltema & van der Walt (1990), Abbott (1994), Miller (1996), Stockton et al. (1996).
Pelargoniums are arranged here into several fairly readily distinguished horticultural groupings. There are numerous descriptive names applied to particular minor groups, especially the miniatures and those with coloured leaves. The names and groupings presented here are those which have fairly broad usage - there are many more.
Botanically, the genus Pelargonium can be divided into about 14 sections. There seems little point in describing these sections here.
A selection of popular and Australian-raised cultivars is given here; many have unknown origins and many more are available in specialist nurseries.
Source: (2002). Pelargonium. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 4. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 3. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.
Coloured-leaf (incl. Fancy or Variegated Leaf)
These have been in cultivation for 250 or so years, derived as leaf sports of P. inquinans. The flowers are often smaller than those of other groups and are usually single, but the leaves are the major ornamental feature.They are used as bedding or pot plants. For ease of identification, this group is sometimes split into subgroups - silver, silver tricolour, gold, gold tricolour, bronze, black and butterfly (with an irregular butterfly-shaped zone of a different colour in the centre).
An old cultivar dating to at least 1873 as a sport found on a zonal 'Magenta' in Warwick, UK.
This is a Coloured-leaf Pelargonium (including Fancy- or Variegated- leaf).
Leaves velvety-green with a chocolate zone. Flowers single, pinkish salmon.
This is a Coloured-leaf Pelargonium (including Fancy- or Variegated- leaf).
Raised by Bode, USA, 1958, and introduced 1960-1.
Foliage gold and brown, splashed with red. Flowers pinkish red.
This is a Coloured-leaf Pelargonium (including Fancy- or Variegated- leaf).
Generally known as Hybrid Ivies (sometimes Hybrid Zonals), this group generally contains plants with leaves that are zonal in appearance but with a pendulous habit. They are resistant to rust disease.
Included in this group are the Deacons.
Flowers single or double, rich orange-pink. Upper petals pale at the base, flushed pink.
A sport of 'Lady Gertrude'.
This is a Hybrid Ivy-leaf Pelargonium.
Introduced prior to 1890.
P. 'Lara Purnal' × P. 'Millfield Gem'
Flowers double, dark pink.
This is a Hybrid Ivy-leaf Pelargonium.
Raised by Cliff Blackman in 1983.
Flowers semi-double, pink, some zoning visible.
This is a Hybrid Ivy-leaf Pelargonium.
Raised by Cliff Blackman in 1983.
Flowers forming tiny buds, double, pink or white suffused with pink, the upper petals with darker blotches.
This is a Hybrid Ivy-leaf Pelargonium.
P. 'Rosebud Gem' has flowers remaining as tiny buds, opening to look like a 'Cécile Brünner' Rose.
Angels: Although plants in this group are similar to the miniature regals, they appear to be more closely related to P. crispum, which is a likely hybrid parent. They are bushy plants with thin, woody stems, single flowers and rarely exceed 25 cm tall. Many, known as the Langley-Smith hybrids after their originator, were derived in the 1930s and 40s.
Uniques: Older hybrids whose ancestry is not fully known, although P. fulgidum is probably one parent. All cultivars in this group are scented, but often only mildly - they have thus not been included among the scented-leaf pelargoniums.
Flowers small, single, rose-purple. Upper petals marked with purple.
This is an Angels Hybrid Group Pelargonium.
Raised Langley-Smith, UK, 1935.
Flowers single, crimson with dark feathering.
This is a Uniques Hybrid Group Pelargonium.
Flowers with the upper petals purple, lower ones mainly white.
This is an Angels Hybrid Group Pelargonium.
Raised in France in the 1870s.
Leaves rather pungent-smelling. Flowers dark pink with deeper veins.
This is a Uniques Hybrid Group Pelargonium.
Introduced Paton, 1870.
Pelargonium 'Rollison's Unique'
Leaves softly downy, crinkled and with a slight scent. Flowers single, purple with prominent veins. ['Rollisson', 'Rollinson']
This is a Uniques Hybrid Group Pelargonium.
Flowers rose-purple, upper petals with pale edges.
This is an Angels Hybrid Group Pelargonium.
Raised-Langley Smith, 1940.
Flowers purple, fading, the petals with pale edges.
This is an Angels Hybrid Group Pelargonium.
Leaves 3-lobed, slightly fragrant. Flowers white, suffused with pale pinkish purple.
This is a Uniques Hybrid Group Pelargonium.
Ivy-leaf (peltatum) or Hanging
The ivy-leaf geraniums are flower colour variants of P. peltatum, characterised by their ivy-like, fleshy peltate leaves (with the leaf stalk joining the leaf blade away from the margin). Other features include the thinner stems with long internodes, and the sprawling or trailing habit. The 2 upper petals are larger than the lower pair: in this they contrast with the zonal pelargoniums. They are also hardy and disease-resistant but require sun. Flowers are usually single but may be semi-double or double. The leaves may be variously variegated and categorised as silver, gold or meshed (which have leaves with the veins marked in white or cream). Miniature ivies have short internodes and smaller leaves and flowers, while compact ivies have short internodes, and long-trailing ivies have strong stems with long internodes.
Compact and thin-stemmed. Flowers single, large, purplish.
This is a Ivy-leaf (peltatum) or Hanging Pelargonium.
Raised and introduced Schmidt, USA,1948.
Miniature. Flowers smallish, double, white, tinted with lilac.
This is a Ivy-leaf (peltatum) or Hanging Pelargonium.
Introduced Jan Skott, NSW, c. 1959.
Flowers double, pale mauve.
This is a Ivy-leaf (peltatum) or Hanging Pelargonium.
Leaves with white margins that become pink to purple in harsh conditions. Leaves slightly fruity-scented. Flowers single, white with red-purple markings.
This is a Ivy-leaf (peltatum) or Hanging Pelargonium.
An old cultivar, introduced 1875.
Flowers semi-double, crimson, striped with white.
This is a Ivy-leaf (peltatum) or Hanging Pelargonium.
With a trailing habit like that of 'Mexican Beauty' of which it is a sport.
Miniature with the flowers double, mauve. Leaves blotched green and yellow.
This is a Ivy-leaf (peltatum) or Hanging Pelargonium.
Found and named by Melva Bird.
A similar plant was found at the same time by Mr W.H.Wood of Highett, Vic, and named 'Wood's Surprise'; in Vic it is still known by this name but in SA it is also called 'Sunset Marble'.
Flowers semi-double, dark velvety-red, opening like small roses.
This is a Ivy-leaf (peltatum) or Hanging Pelargonium.
Flowers double, pale crimson-cerise.
This is a Ivy-leaf (peltatum) or Hanging Pelargonium.
Hairy, woody-based subshrub. Leaves roundish, to about 4 cm wide, irregularly sharply toothed, often cordate at the base, wavy, velvet-hairy. Flower clusters 3-6. Flowers lavender with reddish purple. [P. nervosum hort., P. ×nervosum Sweet, 'Sweet Lime']
This is a Lime-scented Scented-leaf Pelargonium cultivar of probable hybrid origin.
The lime fragrance is probably closer to that of the flowers of the Lime Tree, Tilia, than of the citrus fruit.
Flowers purple and pansy-like with a white picotee edge.
This is a Miniature Regal Pelargonium.
Originated in the UK, c. 1950.
P. ‘Madame Layal’ × P. ‘Mystery’
Flowers single, white to lavender, upper petals almost entirely overlaid with deep purple, blending to reddish purple. Leaves wavy and finely toothed.
This is a Miniature Regal Pelargonium.
Introduced 1986 by Cliff Blackman, Lara, Victoria, Australia.
Upper petals with cerise blotches, lower petals white.
This is a Miniature Regal Pelargonium.
Raised by Robert Monahan, Victoria, Australia.
A complex hybrid group referred to botanically as P. ×domesticum, the hybrid background involving the species P. cucullatum, P. grandiflorum, P. angulosum, P. fulgidum and probably others.
Pelargoniums in this group have fleshy stems and leaves that are kidney-shaped to roundish or triangular, with 3 lobes, large teeth and/or wavy edges, sometimes cupped or folded. Flowers in large, erect clusters.
The group was derived in the 19th century and called 'regal' because its members were cultivated in the glasshouses of English royalty.
They are prone to infestations of green- and whitefly.
Upper petals with crimson blotches, margins white. Lower petals white, with pink flush. Ruffled.
This is a Regal Pelargonium
Raised by Mr Outwater, USA, 1955.
Miniature. Flowers profuse, pale pink. Upper petals veined with lilac and with deep red blotches in the centre, flushed reddish towards the edges.
This is a Regal Pelargonium.
Raised Schmidt, USA, 1953.
Flowers dark purple with white centres.
This is a Regal Pelargonium.
Raised by Joyce Ritchie, Australia.
Flowers velvety black, ruffled. ['Brown's Butterfly']
This is a Regal Pelargonium.
Raised Brown, USA, 1953-4.
Flowers deep glowing red with black blotches on all petals and ruffled florets.
This is a Regal Pelargonium.
Raised Bodey, Australia, and introduced 1966.
Flowers deep maroon, the petals blotched, feathered and wavy.
This is a Regal Pelargonium.
Raised by Joyce Ritchie, Australia.
Flowers pale lavender-lilac pink with light veining, ruffled.
This is a Regal Pelargonium.
Raised Both, Australia, pre-1962, and introduced 1963.
Flowers deep pink to salmon. Petals edged pink with white base. Upper petals blotched with maroon, lower petals with smaller blotches.
This is a Regal Pelargonium.
Raised by Geoff Morf of NSW.
Flowers blackish, the petals with a red rim.
This is a Regal Pelargonium.
Raised by Joyce Ritchie, Australia.
Pelargonium 'Strawberry Sundae'
Pinkish red with white throat. Upper petals heavily blotched and veined. Lower petals pale, flushed white, veined. Early and long flowering.
This is a Regal Pelargonium.
Flowers salmon with white throats.
This is a Regal Pelargonium.
Raised 1967 by W.E. Schmidt, USA.
Flowers white, speckled and striped purple.
This is a Regal Pelargonium.
Flowers dark red.
This is a Regal Pelargonium.
Flowers very pale pink with a few petals striped white.
This is a Regal Pelargonium.
Sport of P. 'Phyliss Richardson' released by Geoff and Beryl Stockton, Australia.
Flowers almost black, with red veining and purple overlay.
This is a Regal Pelargonium.
Flowers pure white.
This is a Regal Pelargonium.
Scented-leaf cultivars of probable hybrid origin rose-scented
Softly hairy, shrubby herb to over 1 m tall. Leaves grey-green, to about 6 cm long, deeply bipinnate, margins slightly bent under. Flower clusters with 5 flowers. Flowers white to pale pink, veined purple; spring to summer. [P. asperum Willd., P. ×asperum Willd., P. graveolens L'Hér.]
The taxonomic status of this plant is difficult and confused but plants sold under this name are sterile hybrids.
This is a Rose-scented Scented-leaf Pelargonium cultivar of probable hybrid origin.
Leaves are popular for pot-pourri and flavourings.
Naturalised in coastal districts of NSW, Vic and SA.
Similar to P. 'Graveolens' but smaller. Flowers small, single, pale mauve. Leaves grey-green, edged with cream.
This is a Rose-scented Scented-leaf Pelargonium cultivar of probable hybrid origin.
Known since 1800.
Pelargonium 'Rober's Lemon Rose'
Probably P. 'Graveolens' × P. tomentosum.
Leaves irregularly pinnate, lemon- to rose-scented. Flowers small and pink.
This is a Rose-scented Scented-leaf Pelargonium cultivar of probable hybrid origin.
Introduced 1940s and grown commercially in California for its aromatic oils.
This group, referred to botanically as P. ×hortorum L.H. Bail., consists of a complex group of hybrids resulting from the cross, P. inquinans × P. zonale, although other S African Cape species may be involved.
Plants in the group have succulent stems to about 0.5 m tall, becoming leggy. The leaves are generally furry, roundish to kidney-shaped, the margins wavy or scalloped, the centre variegated, often with darker central zones. The flowers may be single, semi-double, double or rosebud (flowers with a heart of up to 100 unopened petals giving the appearance of a rosebud); they may be multicoloured (sometimes referred to as vari-petalled), being variously striped, spotty-edged or reversed. Many of these arose as sports, and reversion to original colouring may occur. The cultivars with very finely freckled petals are sometimes referred to as Bird's-egg cultivars.The centre of the flower is often paler than the outside. The quilled or cactus group (sometimes called the poinsettia geraniums) has petals curled back to look like quills.
Flowers known as Five Fingereds, having characteristic star-shaped or five-fingered flowers, were developed by Ted Both of SA by crossing 'Fiery Chief' with a range of zonals. He made more than 600 crosses but only three were named before his death. Mr Blackman, of Alice Springs, named the rest for Ada Both, Ted's widow, and they include P. 'Celestial Star' with single white flowers, P. 'Judy Swinbourne' with double, salmon pink flowers with white throats, and P. 'Pixie Rose' with flowers double and rose pink. Other horticultural cultivars include Both's Staphs, Staphs, Stellars, Formosa (P. 'Formosa' has a bright salmon, semi-double flower and deeply lobed leaves; P. 'Presto' was the first plant to be developed from a single formosum flower - it is salmon with white edges; P. 'Red Witch' is double with bright red flowers), Miller's Formosum Hybrids, Bodey's Formosum Hybrids and so on. The late Jack Holt of Frankston, Vic, crossed the gold-leaved 'Argyle' with an unknown Staph to produce P. 'Evening Star', with flowers pale pink, single, and leaves yellow-green with a bronze zone. Mrs Marjorie Edwards of Bendigo, Vic, has also hybridised some of this group and Ken Attfield of NSW has produced some,mostly double, miniature Five Fingereds.The Deacons were developed by the late Rev. Stanley Stringer of Occold, Suffolk, UK. This group has a compact habit with smaller flowers than the normal zonal, but an abundance of them; they are a cross between the miniature zonal P. 'Orion' and the ivy-leaf P. 'Blue Peter'. Over 100 varieties were released in the 1970s, including P. 'Deacon Arlon', compact plants with double white flowers; P. 'Deacon Fireball', with double scarlet flowers; P. 'Deacon Mandarin', with double orange flowers; P. 'Deacon Moonlight', with double pale lilac flowers; and P. 'Peacock', with orange-red flowers.
Pelargonium 'Apple Blossom Rosebud'
Double bud-like white flowers with dark pink edging and sometimes pale green in the centre.
This is a Zonal Pelargonium.
Originated in the USA in the 1940s.
Flowers single, rich orange with a white centre.
This is a Zonal Pelargonium.
Raised by Tilley, Australia, c. 1978.
Flowers double, in shades of pale pink, with a white base suffused with darker pink.
This is a Zonal Pelargonium.
Raised in the UK, c. 1950.
Flowers single, magenta-rose with a white throat.
This is a Zonal Pelargonium.
Flowers double, crimson.
This is a Zonal Pelargonium.
Raised Ted Both, SA.
Flowers double, pure white.
This is a Zonal Pelargonium.
Flowers tulip-shaped, pale red.
A sport of P. 'Neon Fiat'.
This is a Zonal Pelargonium.
Flowers single, white.
This is a Zonal Pelargonium.
Flowers double, salmon red with a white throat.
This is a Zonal Pelargonium.