PELARGONIUM PLEASURE DOMES
Words by Jessica Peace
BASKET CASES
Although you can shove the pelargonium in your flowerbed, we like them suited up nicely, nodding their heads on your window sills and door steps. We are BIG fans of the hanging basket - as you’ll see if you come see us at Chelsea…(it does not stop being exciting!!! Grab tickets here ... )
Not only are baskets usually the marker of a good pub, they are (upside down) plant pleasure domes; fill them up, raise them high and let them swing!
PELARGONIUM PLEASURE DOMES
Fill your basket with pure pelargoniums or use this opportunity to experiment in your miniature garden (suspended in the air).
ROOM MATES...
SUCCULENT MASH UP
If you’ve mastered the art of shoving your succulents into every crevice of your gaff, try letting them hang out in a basket. We are loving aoeniums and echeveria matched with the glossy ‘ivy-leaved’ varieties; bring them in after summer and hang them off a sturdy (careful!) shelf or ceiling.
FROTHY AND FLOWING
Lobelia, try the white variety with pelargonium album for elegant, monochrome style.
GRANNY’S GARDEN
Begonias and petunias, you can make it blousy or give it a modern take by using more unusual varieties; try the dark, velvety Petunia ‘Back to Black’ or Begonia rex.
GOING GOTHIC
Ivy, you cannot beat it for its simplicity or ability to up the style anti of any ledge or rim it crawls over.
GOING PELARGONIUM
THE ROOTS
Plant hero John Tradescant - the younger one, is believed to have brought the first pelargoniums to blighty after a trip to Algiers in the 17th Century - although the pelargonium’s original gaff is South Africa, it’s done a bit of travelling. They are now a true British staple and we are f’king mad for them!
THE DEETS
NAMECHECK
The name ‘pelargonium’ stems from the Greek term ‘pelargós’: ‘stork’; the seed head looks like a stork's beak.
‘SEMI’ TENDER, LOVING CARE
Basically, your ‘hardy’ plants can hack it outside and your ‘tender’ can’t, so keep’em in and cosy. The pelargonium is ‘semi-tender’ - they can’t always hack it during our lovely British winters. So if you do want them to join you for a sunbathe, drag them back in before the first frost.
RATING
Easy as
Add some grit to your compost for super drainage power and whack in a sunny spot; make sure there are drainage holes to avoid soggy bottoms.
OR GET US TO MAKE IT FOR YOU - Buy yours here