Hardy Geranium Group

G. sanguineum ‘Elke’ - an outstanding form purchased as a seedling by HGG member Geert Lambrecht from a Belgian nursery and named after the nurseryman’s daughter.

Who are we?

The Hardy Geranium Group was formed in 1974 when interest in the plants was booming. There are now approx. 70 species and 700 cultivars in British gardens. They range in height from a few cm. to 1m. and in colour from white through pink, mauve and pale blue to deep magenta, violet and blue. There is a geranium for every site in the garden: hot and sunny or dry shade. Margery Fish famously said “When in doubt, plant a geranium.”
We are still the only association dedicated solely to this large family of garden-worthy plants, which have been voted the Hardy Plant Society’s favourite flowers. Our members provide advice and information about the plants to gardeners, nurserymen and journalists in the UK and abroad. Membership is open to all members of the HPS and we welcome those who are not specialists but would like to know more.

Newsletters

Two newsletters are issued each year, in Spring and Autumn. Contributions to the newsletter are welcomed from members and these should be sent to the Newsletter Editor by February 28th and August 31st respectively. Please follow this link to see the Autumn 2009 Hardy Geranium Group Newsletter (PDF file), which will open in a new window.

G. x oxonianum ‘Frank Lawley’ collected by member Robin Moss in the garden of Frank Lawley, Northumberland.

Seed Exchange

The Group organises a geranium and erodium seed exchange. Seed should be sent in by Nov 1st. The seed list is available at the end of November and details are published in the Autumn newsletter. The list is sent out to members automatically.

Hardy Geranium Day and AGM

In 2011, Hardy Geranium Day will be held at Cambridge Botanic on Sat. June 18th. Further details will be published in the Spring newsletter.

How can you join?

G. x oxonianum ‘Rebecca Moss’ raised by Robin Moss, 1993, and named after his daughter.

Subscriptions are renewable on 1st January. The subscription of a member joining after 1st July is valid until the end of the following year.
U.K. members: £5.00 p.a. This covers up to two people at the same address.
Please note that this is in addition to the National HPS subscription.
Overseas members: £5.00 p.a. to be paid with the main HPS subscription unless members have a UK sterling bank account.

Please send a cheques, made payable to ‘Hardy Geranium Group’ to:
Oliver Folkard, 1, Baron’s Close, Fakenham, Norfolk NR21 8BE.
Please include your name(s), address and e-mail address.

National Collections

Plant Heritage (NCCPG) National Collections of hardy geraniums are held by:

Rachel Etheridge Frosterley House, Frosterley, Co. Durham, DL13 2RF.
rachel.etheridge@tiscali.co.uk
Full range of species and cultivars.
Open May to Aug by appt. Open Day: Sunday, 19th June 2011
Centre of village on N side of A689.

G. phaeum ‘Chocolate Chip’ selected by Robin Parer in 1995.

Cambridge University Botanic Garden (Tim Upson) 1, Brookside, Cambridge, CB2 1JE.
enquiries@botanic.cam.ac.uk
www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/NationalCollection.html
Species and primary hybrids.
Open all flowering season 10.00am to 6.00pm.
Entrance in Bateman St. off Trumpington Rd.

Jean Purkiss 1, Sycamore Close, Whitehaven, Cumbria, CA28 6LE.
expressplants@aol.com
www.cottagegardenplants.com
Geranium phaeum group.
Open May and June by appt.

Margaret Stone Brockamin, Old Hills, Callow End, Worcs. WR2 4TQ.
dickstonebrockamin@tinyworld.co.uk
Geranium x cantabrigiense, macrorrhizum and sanguineum.
Open Day 6th. June 2010 or by appt.
½ mile S of village. Pull into Old Hills car-park; walk towards houses, keeping right.

Where to see and buy geraniums

Members gardens and nurseries open

G. phaeum ‘Lily Lovell’ raised by Trevor Bath and named after his mother.

Avondale Nursery at Russell's Nursery, Mill Hill, Baginton, Coventry CV8 3AG (Brian Ellis)
enquiries@avondalenursery.co.uk
www.avondalenursery.co.uk

Brockamin, Old Hills, Callow End, Worcs. WR2 4TQ. (Margaret Stone)
dickstonebrockamin@tinyworld.co.uk
National Collection of Geranium x cantabrigiense, macrorrhizum and sanguineum.
Open Day 5th. June 2011 or by appt.
½ mile S of village. Pull into Old Hills car-park; walk towards houses, keeping right.

Cottage Garden Plants, 1, Sycamore Close, Whitehaven, Cumbria, CA28 6LE. (Jean Purkiss)
expressplants@aol.com
www.cottagegardenplants.com
Geranium phaeum group.
Open May and June by appt

G. sylvaticum ‘Baker’s Pink’ found in Switzerland by “Bill” Baker.

Elworthy Cottage, Elworthy, nr. Taunton, Somerset , TA4 3PX. (Jenny Spiller)
mike@elworthy-cottage.co.uk
www.elworthy-cottage.co.uk
Garden and nursery with a large selection.
Open late Mar-end Aug. 10.00am to 4.00pm Thurs. & Fri

Frosterley House, Frosterley, Co. Durham, DL13 2RF. (Rachel Etheridge)
rachel.etheridge@tiscali.co.uk
National Collection of species and cultivars.
Open May to Aug by appt. Open Days 26th. and 27th. June 2010
Centre of village on N side of A689.

Geraniaceae Nursery, 122, Hillcrest Ave., Kentfield, California 94904. (Robin Parer)
www.geraniacae.com

Logie Steading Plants, Forres, Moray, IV36 2QN. (Panny Laing)
panny@logie.co.uk
www.logie.co.uk
Garden and nursery.
Open daily Apr.-Oct. 10.30am to 5.00pm.

Penlan Perennials, Penrhiw-pal, Llandysul, Ceredigion, SA44 5QH. (Richard Cain)
rcain@penlanperennials.co.uk
www.penlanperennials.co.uk
Open Fri.-Sun. Mar.-June 9.30am to 5.30pm.

Snape Cottage, Chaffeymoor, Bourton, Dorset, SP8 5BZ (Angela Whinfield)
ianandangela@snapecottagegarden.co.uk
www.snapestakes.com
Garden and nursery.
Open Mar.-Aug. last Sat. and Sun. In month, 10.30am to 5.00pm.

G.himalayense ‘Derrick Cook’ found by Hardy Planter Derrick in Nepal, 1984, and introduced by HGG member Andrew Norton, then the National Collection Holder.