Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Recent Acquisitions

I am always on the lookout for companions to roses. Generally I choose plants that meet the same cultural requirements as roses, come in complimentary colors, and present a noticeable contrast with roses in terms of the shape and size of bloom. I prefer perennials because, on the whole, they are less work than annuals (and generally not as brightly colored), and try to choose those that flower for at least a month or longer.

This little ground cover is called erodium "Sweetheart" and is a relative of Cranesbill. 


The flowers look very cheerful and interesting with their rosy pink veins and conspicuous pinky-brown spots.


I liked the dense habit and the profusion of blooms.


The little hairs at the base of the flowers and on the leaves reflect the light creating the effect of tiny shimmering drops of water. The tag promises a long season of bloom on a tough and easy-care plant. I am looking forward to watching it grow in my garden.

My other two acquisitions are ivy geraniums (pelargonium peltatum). All sorts of pelargoniums are grown in my gardening zone as perennials and they do extremely well here. 


I like the warm and cool pink together and will grow these two side by side. Another rosarian recently told me that ivy geraniums will climb about 8' up through a rose (with help), and that's how I plan to grow mine. I am excited to have an alternative to clematis (a classic vining companion to roses) with a longer season of bloom and less maintenance.


I am off to plant now!

40 comments:

  1. Very beautiful,
    Greetings from The Netherlands, Diny

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  2. They are beautiful. I haven't seen these before. I wonder if I can grow them too under hot tropical weather. I would if I could.

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  3. I love all three of these new beauties for your gardens and know they will look wonderful wherever you plant them.

    Happy Gardening ~ FlowerLady

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  4. beautiful companions...you are lucky to be able to grow ivy geraniums as perennials

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  5. Those are good choices. Beautiful plants. Carla

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  6. Those erodium are lovely! Almost as pretty as a rose. I have regular old cranesbill geraniums in the garden, they spread like crazy! Excellent groundcover.

    I wish I could get pelargonium to over winter here. They're so pretty when they're big. I've tried bringing them into the house for winter, but they don't seem to like being a houseplant. Enjoy your planting!

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  7. Very pretty little flowers and they all would go well with roses.
    Cher
    Goldenray Yorkies

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  8. Dear Masha, Yes, the Erodiums make such perfect companion plants for roses and how fortunate you are to be able to grow Pelargoniums as perennials. For me, the hardy Geraniums are stalwarts for covering the ground over a long period.

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  9. Diny, thank you, and greetings to you too!

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  10. Thank you, One. My Western Gardening book says pelargoniums prefer warm, dry days and cool nights, which is what we have here most of the year. I am sure you have lots of exciting choices for your climate too!

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  11. Thank you, FlowerLady, I am glad you liked them.

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  12. Thank you, Donna, and yes, I agree totally. There are so many of them, scented and regal and ivy... I love them.

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  13. Thank you, Carla, I am glad to hear from you.

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  14. Thank you, Shannon. I love geraniums too, and have quite a few. Interesting that pelargoniums don't grow in the house for you, usually they are not fussy about that at all...

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  15. Thank you, Cher, I hope so too.

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  16. Dear Edith, thank you for your nice comment. You are right, geraniums are great perennials, I love the purple and blue (and sometimes pink) single blooms and lacy foliage.

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  17. Today's post reminded me of how long it's been that I've been putting off making an appointment at my almost-local Geranium nursery in Marin County.

    http://geraniaceae.com/bin/welcome.cgi

    Maybe now I will actually get going and get some to plant among the roses. I already have a few, including one that I particularly love called Rozanne, but more is always better.

    Susan

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  18. How nice to have some additional choices for companions. I'll be sure to look all these up. Love the flowering vine idea.

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  19. These will make lovely rose companions. I always have problems with the geraniums coming back from winter. The excess moisture is the problem here.

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  20. The erodium 'Sweetheart' is new to me. I think, it is really cute. Thanks for featuring it on your blog, Masha! I am wondering, if it would grow well here in San Diego, too. Have to do some research on that one...
    Ivy geraniums are able to climb 8 feet high? Wow, that is amazing. Can't wait to see yours conquer a tall rose.
    Happy planting!
    Christina

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  21. Thanks, Susan, I love Rozanne too. And a big thank you for the link! I haven't heard of them before, and will go check them out...

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  22. thank you, HolleyGarden. If pelargoniums grow in your area, you should consider them as a flowering vine. Kstrong was the one who gave me this idea, she has a purple geranium growing through her Mme Plantier (you can see a pic on HMF).

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  23. Thank you, Greeappolesgarden, and I am sorry about that. There are lots of other choices though, aren't there?

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  24. Thank you, Christina. If you can grow cranesbill geraniums, you can probably grow erodium too. The Western Garden book lists it for zones 14-24. Ivy geranimus won't climb by themselves, they need to be helped but they can grow up as well as out:-). I am very eager to try it.

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  25. HI Masha. The trellis at my house will be covered by a Madame Alfred Carriere rose. Its already there (but only about 4 feet long canes). I'm assuming as its in its second year it will probably fill out the arbor this year (I hope!!!)

    These ivy geraniums look like a good possibility for me. I have a hell of a time with clematis because it dies back to near dead in the deep summer for me, and then its just getting started again before it freezes in Dec. I'm looking for something else for sure.

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  26. Hi Jess, you are right, MAC will cover that trellis in no time. She is a big lady!

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  27. They will look beautiful with the roses. I am looking to purchase some scented geraniums this year to add to bouquets. Lovely to see the sunshine in your pics! Katherine

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  28. Thank you, Katherine, and good luck with scented ones. I grow a few, and they are so lovely and easy-care.

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  29. Marzę żeby już był maj i żebym mogła posadzić pelargonie na moim balkonie.To piękne i co ważne odporne na kaprysy pogody. Pozdrawiam

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  30. Thank you, Giga, for commenting and helping me pick up Polish. My mom grows pelargoniums on her balcony too.

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  31. That 'Sweetheart' is an amazingly cute flower. I love it even though it probably won't grow here. Oh, well, enjoy it for me!

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  32. What a pretty little groundcover! And I can see how it would be a great companion to your Roses!

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  33. Thanks, Sherry, I am so happy to hear from you. I didn't know cranesbills don't like Florida, but I am sure there are lots of other perennials for you to enjoy.

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  34. Thanks, Beth, it is so great to see you posting on my blog again!

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  35. Love the erodium and geraniums! I grow Geranium sp. here. They really fill a niche in the garden, being low-growing and so dainty and showy at the same time.

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  36. Thank you, Sweetbay, and you are right, they do have their own unique place in the garden. I am trying to resist starting another collection...

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  37. Masha, companion plants for the Rose, I find not always so easy.So often we have got the wrong Clematis which has ended up all but smothering the Rose in question. I do like your Erodium, clearly related to the hardy Geranium. Pictures are gorgeous as usual.

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  38. Thank you, Alistair, and you are right, some clematis are very vigorous. Fortunately for me, not all clematis do well here, so the choice is of necessity narrowed:-).

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  39. I love roses too, but they don't grow very well in my garden here in the UK. I do grow erodiums, but in pots along the side of the house. I love the colour combination of your ivy leaf pelargoniums in the last photo. They will look good climbing up through your roses.

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  40. Thank you, Gwen, and I am glad to meet you!

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I am so glad you have stopped by!