History and Culture of Regal Pelargonium

Abstract

Regal pelargoniums (Pelargonium ×domesticum) are one of the lesser-known relatives of the ever-popular zonal geranium (P. ×hortorum). Other relatives of both the regals and zonals are the ivy geraniums (P. peltatum) and the scented geraniums (Pelargonium sp.). All the geraniums mentioned here are actually pelargoniums, and all have their origins in South Africa. Regals are not as well known as zonals, perhaps because of their poorer garden performance, yet they have persisted in the commercial trade for centuries. This is a tribute, primarily, to their splendid flowers (Fig. 1). For centuries regals have been a much-admired, if difficult to produce, potted plant with outstanding flowers. Their story begins with the Dutch trade in South Africa and travels around the globe and into the modern day realms of molecular research.