Pelargonium
‘Veronica Contreras’

 

photo: Kelly Kilpatrick

We pride ourselves on being fiercely discerning when it comes to plant selection & we know we’re, um, neglectful of the genus Pelargonium & its garden varieties. They’re pretty indestructible, colorful, etc., but the “common” factor usually keeps us from giving them a second look. However, when we saw this bloomiferous “Pansy Faced Pelargonium” winding its way through Restios & Proteas at Strybing, we were sold. It’s plenty bold, but the charm factor is super high! Each bloom is about 1”, rosy plum purple & bordered in light lilac. The habit can be either shrubby or trailing, depending on how you coach its growth. The plants at Strybing were low & wide, but if you keep it hedged it will attain shrubbiness! That makes the ultimate size of the plant pretty much up to you. The plants we’ve seen have been no more than 1.5’ high & much wider (2-3’) but you may want a different effect! You can even train it up a trellis. Leaves have a very pleasant lemony scent. Evergreen & drought tolerant!

Claire Woods
Propagator