REMARKS ON THE PELARGONIUM. 
207 
imagined; for we have met with many places where it is the only plant grown to 
display its beauties in pots. 
Pelargoniums — the fancy kinds we still write of — are almost without exception 
regarded as pot-plants only, and treated as such ; it is very seldom thought of 
planting them in the open ground, much less of using them largely as flower-garden 
plants. The scarlet and variegated sorts, we need scarcely observe, are necessary to 
every flower-garden; but their more beautiful fancy brethren, except one or two varieties 
of peculiar character, such as the old Prince of Orange, Fair Helen, &c, are but 
rarely indulged with a place there. It is the more remarkable that this is the case, 
when it is remembered how exquisitely beautiful they become, in good hands, when 
grown in pots under glass. It might be thought if they only succeeded proportion- 
ately well in the open ground, which they will do, that they merit a trial there, at 
least ; and the fact is, it is the want of this trial, in the majority of cases, that 
prevents their admittance to the flower-ground. We are acquainted with a gardening 
establishment whose pleasure-ground is very celebrated for the beauty of its 
parterres, and the immense display of flowers which they always exhibit in the 
summer season, where one whole parterre is devoted to Pelargoniums ; there the 
fancy varieties are placed on the same footing as the scarlet, variegated, and ivy- 
leaved kinds, and the effect the whole creates is such as to render the site they 
occupy the most attractive feature in the pleasure-ground. If then, by dealing with 
fancy Pelargoniums as with other flower-garden plants, they can be made equally 
useful, what might not be done with them if the same principle were carried out in 
preparing plants for turning into the open ground, that produce such gratifying 
results with those cultivated in pots ? It grows exceedingly rank when planted in 
common flower-garden earth, branching very strongly, and bearing leaves twice their 
usual size ; but few flowers, and those few neither of the proper size, shape, or 
colour. Providing soil meagre in quality and quantity in which to grow them, 
would greatly tend to bring about the desired result, but would be more effectual if, 
in conjunction with its provision, aged plants were always employed. This last 
precaution would of itself suffice, and better effect the object than any combination 
of measures. Every one is familiar with the practice of lifting scarlet Pelargoniums 
year after year from the parterre, because they are more serviceable for future use 
than young plants, by bearing flowers instead of growing exuberantly ; and what is 
successful in their case, would assuredly be equally so with the fancy kinds. We 
commend these observations on this highly popular flower, in reference to it as a 
flower-garden plant, to the attention of our readers, with the assurance that if they 
are not aware how interesting a plant it can be rendered for that purpose, they 
ought to lose no time in ascertaining. 
We have witnessed Pelargoniums, we shall observe in conclusion, constituting a 
strikingly beautiful feature in the pleasure-ground, when planted in ornamental and 
rustic stands or baskets. All the different varieties were employed, planted in an 
elevated basket ; the means taken to induce them to flower appropriately being the 
