Hardy geraniums

摘要

The number of hardy geraniums available to gardeners has increased at a phenomenal rate in recent years. Around 125 forms were listed in the 1985 edition of the RHS Plant Finder, whereas some 642 appear in the 2005 edition. Such numbers present a problem to both gardeners and nurserymen in selecting which plants to grow and sell. In 1998, plantswoman and proprietor Elizabeth Strangman of Washfield Nursery in Kent suggested to her fellow RHS committee members that a comprehensive trial of hardy geraniums should be undertaken to assess the whole group. After some discussion, it was agreed. Strangman, with fellow nurseryman and Geranium enthusiast Dr David Hibberd, divided the whole group into four sections (two for sunny situations, one for shade andone for rock gardens). To accommodate the large number of plants for trialling (more than 1,500 in total) the trial stages had to be run consecutively. The results of stage one - geraniums for a sunny position, comprising the Pratense Group (Geranium pratense, Geranium clarkei, Geranium renardii, Geranium asphodeloides, Geranium ibericum and Geranium himalayense, and their hybrids) -have now been announced. Stage two will be announced in a few months' time and stage three at the end of next year.