PREFACE

In introducing “The Pelargonium”, The British and European Geranium Society has firstly to acknowledge that, as with all reference productions, the accuracy of its contents has limitations resulting from the boundaries of some early records, also often being unavailable to be checked, to those relating to the length of time it has taken to collate all the information. It becomes immediately out of date and a significant limitation to this Register is that very many recently introduced cultivars are not included. We hope this will now be speedily rectified through new registrations, and we are also turning our thoughts to improving the authenticity and reliability still further.

Every effort has been made through early available and additional material to enable us to establish the first valid publication of a name, together with the date and country of origin. Yet despite lengthy and detailed research, there are certain gaps and omissions, and inevitably a few inaccuracies, which will become apparent to the knowledgeable reader.

To this end we invite interested persons to read this list critically, and should any omissions be noted or any entry thought to be incorrect, we would appreciate the submission of suggested revisions, together with supporting evidence.

All cultivar names are listed in alphabetical order. In recent years there has been a tendency for growers to apply a prefix to the cultivar name. Some are known as Breeder's Prefixes, others are abbreviations used to indicate a restricted variety or a particular organisation, and have legal protection. Such prefixes, trademarks and brand names should be used at all times. In practice this does not always happen and should a cultivar name, for which you have been searching, be not listed alphabetically, it could possibly be listed under a breeder's prefix, trademark or brand name. In order to maintain an up to date listing of prefixes, trademarks and brand names, we would appreciate any additional information or any omissions noted, being made available to us, together with supporting evidence.

It will be noticed that F1, F2, and other seed-raised Pelargoniums have been omitted from this text. These plants are always seed-raised, not propagated by vegetative means, and therefore are not cultivars in the strictest sense. These plants although excellent for use as a bedding plant, do not have the durability to last through time, and usually necessitate the use of dwarfing chemicals to give them the qualities of compact growth. For these reasons, it is felt they should be excluded from the List.

I am responsible for reviewing applications for registrations of new cultivars and in assessing a new cultivar for acceptance into the Register, we strictly adhere to the Code and Practices of the International Code of Nomenclature guidelines. This makes a name legitimate; gives it priority as well as ensuring clarity rather than confusion, and avoids the repetition of a name.

Mary Spink FBEGS

International Registrar for the Pelargonium Cultivar