In horticulture , there are times for instant satisfaction and time to be patient ; there are illustration when playing it safe is the impertinent option , and others when it ’s deserving taking a hazard . Striking the right counterbalance is part of the nurseryman ’s artistic creation . Since the birth of our seaside garden I have been growingGeranium maderense , a handsome herbaceous plant from Madeira . It is a works that demands patience , tenacity and frost - free winter if you require to grow it outside . Whilst I may be chance lacking when it come to the first two quality , in this case I have squeeze myself to hang in with these beautiful flowers because they are so stupendous when they do eventually blossom . Some gardener grow them in pots so that they can be protect under glass over winter , but I have never go steady one grown in a container look half as good as one planted in the ground , where they can attain an incredible size .
As I save this office from my garden tabular array I am surrounded by six luxuriant works , each having last at least two frost - free wintertime . This is the first vault for anyone trying to originate these beauties : they are only worth take a gamble on in the mild parts of the UK . If lightly frosted plants may recover , but the master root word , which is more of a trunk , has a trend to rot when disease cause into any damage tissue . We have feel winter where every plant in the garden has been wipe out , which is heartrending – so much so that on social occasion I have considered not supercede them . However , once one has persuaded a individual works to blossom , which may be two , three or four years from sprouting , then one will haveGeranium maderensefor life . The seeds are bountiful and develop freely , although seedlings favor not to be disturbed once they have chosen their blot .
For the last six or so years I have been trying to get a livid cultivar , Geranium maderense“Guernsey White ” to blossom . ( If Him Indoors had his own way I would only develop white flowers ) . The first lot of seedlings all perished when , too heavy to be kept indoors over wintertime , I planted them out and they entrance a chill . From a 2d plenty I grew - on three plants , one of which I planted in the shelter of a tree . This is the specimen that has go to flower this week and which sends a shiver of excitement down my spine every prison term I gaze at it .
Unlike the Barbie - pink flowers of the species , G.maderense“Guernsey White ” has magnificent ashen petals , crinkled like crepe paper , arranged around a small Battle of Magenta oculus . Each flower is about the size of a 50 pence piece and is unscented , although en masse I have known the pink variation olfactory sensation like a dampish dishcloth . That apart , the flowers will now be give rise in peachy profusion for months before the whole plant collapses and dies . That ’s the reward one gets for one ’s bravery and fortitude : a works one seldom sees grow in any other garden going out in a blazing of halo , followed by a endearing freehanded gap in which to replant with the same , or something unlike . What could be better or lovelier ?
face out for updates on the geranium ’s progression on myFacebook Page . Seeds ofGeranium maderense“Guernsey White ” are available fromPlants of Distinction .
Wishing you a fantastic week in your garden . TFG .
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family : Beautiful Strangers , Flowers , Foliage , Photography , plant
Posted by The Frustrated Gardener
