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LATEST BLOGS
Aphids – AKA Green Fly – Black Fly
For the most part aphids, more commonly known as green fly or black fly, don’t really affect Geraniums. However, never say never. Last year, conditions seemed to be perfect for the nursery to experience a siege from these mini monsters. Luckily, this glut of aphids came with its perfect partner, the Ladybird and better still Ladybird larvae. Ladybirds love to munch on aphids and their offspring are insatiable, soon the siege was over, and the ladybirds were victorious. Hurrah!
Books and Reading
There aren’t all that many books specifically about Hardy Geraniums but the handful or so that are available to buy are useful and some can be bought second hand at little expense.
Native vs non-native Geraniums
I’m sure you all know that not all plants that we grow here in the UK originated here. People known as Plant Hunters have been bringing plants back to the UK for hundreds of years, reaching a peak in Victorian times. Those plants that do not originate here, plants that have been brought back from other countries are classed as non-native and can become invasive.
When is a geranium not a geranium?
Largely geraniums, pelargoniums and erodium’s share the same characteristics and so they fall into the same Family known botanically as Geraniaceae. There are seven recognised species within the Geraniaceae family, but I’ll concentrate on the three largest.
Alpine or Rock Geraniums
the term Alpine refers to the region where these sorts of plants have originated from. The alpine region is found between the tree line and snow line on a mountain. Alpine conditions are pretty tough to grow in. Plants are very hardy with temperatures varying from...
Red Flowered Geraniums
In truth there are no red geraniums, certainly not in the red I imagine when someone says red, like a traffic light or fire engine, not even the red of a bedding geranium or pelargonium. There are however some that are probably classed as a purple or dark purple but to me, I see them as more of a burgundy red, or a maroon.