Species, Cultivars and Hybrids
There is considerable confusion as to which Pelargonium are true species, and which are cultivars or hybrids. The nomenclature has changed considerably since the first plants were introduced to Europe in the 17th century.
Horticultural Pelargonium cultivars (as opposed to wild species) are classified into several major groups, with zonals subdivided further. Thousands of ornamental cultivars have been developed from about 20 of the species.
The major groups are;
- Zonals, which cover:
- Fancy leaf: Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf, Butterfly Leaf & Tri-Colour
- Fancy flowered: Carnation Flowered, Tulip Flowered, Cactus Flowered, Rosebud Flowered
- Dwarf zonals
- Miniature zonals
- Angels
- Ivy-leaved (the cultivars that trail and are used in hanging baskets or window boxes)
- Ivy x zonals: a hybrid cross of ivy leaf and zonals
- Regals
- Uniques
- Formosum
- Frutetorum hybrids
- Stellars
Ivy-leaved (trailing) cultivars are mainly derived from P. peltatum. They have hanging stems and hardened leaves, and are used in hanging baskets.
Regal (Royal, French) varieties or P. × domesticum are mainly derived from P. cucullatum and P. grandiflorum. They have woody stems, wrinkled leaves and pointed lobes, and are mainly grown in greenhouses.
Zonal varieties, also known as P. × hortorum, are mainly derived from P. zonale and P. inquinans. They have round leaves with a coloured spot (or 'zone') in the centre (hence 'zonal'). One of the most common ornamental pot plants, with over 500 cultivars.
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