Horticulture

Celebrating the colourful charm of Pelargoniums & Geraniums

Pelargoniums and Geraniums are the feature flower this year.

Pelargonium is a genus of flowering plants which includes about 200 species of perennials, succulents, and shrubs, commonly known as geraniums. Confusingly, Geranium is the correct botanical name of a separate genus of related plants often called cranesbills or hardy geraniums. Both genera belong to the family Geraniaceae. Linnaeus originally included all the species in one genus, Geranium, but they were later separated into two genera by Charles L’Héritier in 1789.

Pelargonium are very ornamental evergreen perennials indigenous to Southern Africa, and are drought and heat tolerant, but can tolerate only minor frosts. They are extremely popular garden plants, grown as bedding plants in temperate regions.  

The name Pelargonium was introduced by Johannes Burman in 1738, from the Greek πελαργ?ς, pelargós (stork), because the seed head looks like a stork's beak.

There are more than 300 horticultural classes open for entry including floral art, floristry, scarecrow, bonsai, Australian native and best feature garden.  

Many competitions have junior or novice classes and there’s a best kitchen garden competition for kindergartens and primary schools.  

There really is a class available for every green thumb to try their luck.  

Please note: Due to restrictions regarding fruit fly, any entries composed of fruit and vegetables will not be able to be taken home and will be responsibly disposed of.