Pelargonium Brocade Mrs Pollock

Pelargonium 'Mrs Pollock' is an old variety that never fails to disappoint. It has been captivating generations of gardeners for over a century, primarily with its exquisitely coloured foliage. Each leaf, bordered in yellow and cream, reveals a vibrant green to green-blue background, marked by a wide marbled zone of slate blue and black. Its simple flowers are equally impressive. The crimson red flowers bloom from summer to autumn, clustered in round heads that glisten in the summer sun. This truly beautiful plant is perfect for containers, providing year-round decoration. This sensational variety is easy to grow, but it does require protection from frost.

Zonal pelargoniums are perennial hybrids from the geranium family, in a large group called Pelargonium x hortorum. Most of them are the result of cross-breeding several pelargoniums native to the southeastern tip of Africa. The 'Mrs Pollock' Brocade geranium is a variety dating back to 1858, carefully bred and propagated in the family greenhouse or conservatory. It is a legendary creation passed down from parent to child. Its multicoloured foliage is its main asset. The sturdy and disease-resistant plant forms a bushy and dense clump with an upright and rounded habit, measuring 45cm (18in) in height and 30cm (12in) in width. It produces simple flowers from May to October. They boast a gorgeous shade of vermilion red, further enhancing the variegated livery of the foliage. Its sturdy and succulent stems bear rounded and weakly lobed leaves that are quite thick, revealing apple green veins arranged in a fan shape. Centred on the petiole attachment point, the different colour zones are displayed in irregular and concentric circles, displaying shades that evolve over time.

Once reserved for balconies and patios, zonal pelargoniums are now making a remarkable entrance into sunny flower beds and borders. Plant them en masse to create a lasting and cheerful decoration throughout the summer season. These plants tolerate drought quite well, meaning they can be combined with garden verbenas, blue lobelias, and black or purple-foliaged ipomoeas (Ipomoea Illusion Midnight Lace, Ipomoea Sweet Heart 'Purple'). Create beautiful pots and hanging baskets by pairing them with bright pink or red varieties, Million Bells, variegated periwinkles, Dichondra 'Silver Falls', violets, and calibrachoas. The 'Mrs Pollock' variety will decorate the house or conservatory with its foliage throughout the year, especially when blooms are scarce in winter.

Please be aware that our young plug plants are professional products intended for experienced gardeners. Upon receipt, repot and store them under cover (veranda, greenhouse, cold frame) at a temperature above 14°C (57.2°F) for a few weeks before planting them outdoors, once the risk of frost has definitely passed.