Pelargonium nervifolium also known as the nerve leaved stork bill has an underground tuber which is turnip like in shape. The leaves are dark green, ovate with short hairs and has reddish purple veins, It grows to about 13 cm and looses its leaves in summer. The flowers are white to cream in colour with wine red markings on the upper petals and is native to the Western part of South Africa in part shade to full sun on hillsides and shrub land.
Pelargonium crispum is now flowering for the first time, it is an upright branching slightly woody shrub that grows to 70cm (28in) with small fan shaped lemon scented leaves which are crisped around the edges.
Essential oils can be extracted from the leaves and is native to the South Western Cape where it grows on mountain sides and rocky areas.
peltatum is now flowering and each plant can vary from clusters of white, pink to purplish pink flowers, it has slight scented leaves that resemble an Ivy leaf some with a dark zone in the Centre. The Sap can be used to treat skin injuries such as cuts & burns and also can be taken orally to treat inflammation of the throat, as well as a skin wash.
This plant has trailing branches which can grow up into trees, trellis and over hanging baskets, it is also semi succulent so it can grow well in dry areas.
peltatum in its native habitat grows over a large area of the Cape province in arid and coastal regions with summer-winter rainfall , the name peltatum derives from the Latin meaning shield referring to the leaf shape of this plant.
The young plant Pelargonium exstipulatum has now started to flower, they are white with dark purple markings on the upper petals, although some can vary from light pink to purple pink. The leaves are slightly rhomboid with a velvety texture and has a aromatic pungent scent.
Pelargonium australe has now started to flower for the first time after a few years, it has some similarities to Pelargonium capitatum although only some are lightly scented. The flowers are white to light pink with darker markings, containing up to 12 flowers on long flowering stalks.
This plant grows in southern Australia over a large area as well as Eastern Tasmania and New Zealand.
The Latin word ‘australe’ means Southern referring to the Southern part of Australia where this pelargonium grows, in many different environments including mountainous, coastal and dry sandy areas in full sun to semi sun.
Pelargonium Species world 