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| Pelargonium 'Oldbury Duet' |
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| Close-up of foliage |
The 3 plants are grouped together in the bed that formerly held our Eucalyptus tree. A Geranium 'Tiny Monster' weaves around them.
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| Pelargonium shown with underplanting of Geranium 'Tiny Monster' |
I'd never seen the plant in flower and I was concerned that the blooms might clash with surrounding plants but the upper reddish plum petals pick up the color of the nearby Acer palmatum 'Purple Ghost' and the Coprosma repens 'Plum Hussey.'
Pelargoniums do very well here. They can get by with limited water and, while they can handle full sun, they don't mind a little shade. Most take our summer heat in stride. One of the 'Oldbury Duet' also survived being dug up by a visiting raccoon.
The label that came with my plants said these will grow 15 inches (38 cm) tall and wide. They're reportedly hardy to 25-30F (-4C). This Pelargonium originates from South Africa and falls into the "angel" category.
Pelargonium 'Oldbury Duet' is my contribution to the weekly meme hosted by Loree of danger garden. You can see Loree's status report on her roster of favorites here and connect to other gardeners' favorite picks for the current week.
Kris, I just love that two-toned flower and the gold-edged leaves! Wow! What an impact! I don't think we use enough pelargoniums around here. They are succulent and don't wilt! Wildly successful plants. Minimum water. Low maintenance. And ... many different varieties. Where did you get this one?
ReplyDeleteThis one came from the local Armstrong Garden Center, Jane (purchased in January of this year). I think the grower may have been Monterey Bay Nursery.
DeleteThat's one richly bright pelargonium Kris, love it!
ReplyDeleteIt certainly can't be ignored, can it?
DeleteThat's a great Pelargonium, beautiful flowers and fantastic foliage too.
ReplyDeleteThe foliage was the principal reason for the purchase, Alison - even with the description on the tag, I wasn't sure what the flowers would look like.
DeleteThis one is fabulous ! What great foliage..this looks like a 'Martha Washington' cultivar ? I just can't grow them at all here , the geranium bud worms ruin them, and they don't overwinter. I'll just enjoy your photos instead.
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad they're not hardy in your area, Kathy. Geranium bud worm?! (shudder)
DeleteLovely colours; presume you can overwinter them in the ground there? Lucky you!
ReplyDeleteYes, there's no problem over-wintering them. We really don't get much of a winter - our temperatures rarely dip anywhere near freezing.
DeleteJust shows our climates aren't the same; yours is truely Mediterranean while mine deffinately is not! (even though I'm only 40 miles from the Mediterranean sea). I've never seen geraniums used with Pelagoniums and I think they work brilliantly together.
ReplyDeleteThe Geranium and Pelargonium do seem to cohabit reasonably well - as a rule, the Pelargonium can get by with less water but they don't seem to be bothered by a touch extra.
DeleteI can't help it "cute" is the word that springs to mind here. That foliage is pretty fabulous and the flowers look like tropical pansies. Nice find!
ReplyDeleteIt's very pansy-like and pansies are indeed among the cutest flowers.
DeleteYou chose the perfect spot for them Kris. I love how their colour compliments those growing round about. I saw similar plants here for sale last year - I hope I see them again ;).
ReplyDeleteIf internet sources are to be believed, 'Oldbury Duet' apparently won some sort of 'Best in Show' prize from a UK Pelargonium/Geranium society in years past, Angie, so I'd expect the plant would be available somewhere there across the pond.
DeleteDelicate leaves on the geranium!
ReplyDeleteAgree that it can get strange translations.
Struggling with translation into English so it can get a little weird komentarer from me.
best regards
Mariana
It is a real beauty, both the flowers and the leaves are lovely. I am going to see if I can find it here.
ReplyDeleteThe first thing I noticed is the gorgeous foliage, and beautiful blooms are a fantastic bonus. They look great where you have placed them, and they seem to be flourishing in their new home. Lucky plants to be under the care of such a great gardener!
ReplyDeleteI've never tried to grow these, but they look so pretty in your garden! Love that foliage - it looks great with the geranium foliage, too. And the blooms are so sweet. I can see why it would be named a favorite!
ReplyDeleteI had a lovely such plant last year and loved it. Everyone that saw it also loved it, but alas, it froze this winter and isn't coming back up from the roots, so beware of its frost sensitivity. I live in Danville in Contra Costa.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the warning, Cheryl, but frost is a once in every 50-years occurrence here.
DeleteThe non-variegated leaf variety of this is called "Tip Top Duet". Equally nice and both so easy to propagate.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen that one but I'll look for it. I think I got 'Oldbury Duet' at a Geranium/Pelargonium Society sale years ago when these were held at the local botanic garden. Sadly, society plant sales haven't been held there since the pre-pandemic days.
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