Svartröta pelargon
•
In my opinion, it's hard to dislike pelargoniums (commonly referred to as geraniums). With their clusters of brightly-colored blooms and fuzzy foliage, they are a fabulous choice for pots, both indoors and out. And while these cheery plants are often associated with the sunny climes of the Med, their popularity has recently surged in Scandinavia.
They are so well-loved in these cooler climes that a bur gardening trend has forged around them, known as pelargonsjuka. As Dr. Susanne Lux of Pelargonium for Europe explains, the word pelargonsjuka translates to 'pelargonic disease', which jokingly refers to an obsession with these beauties.
In the warmer months, these plants are showcased on window sills, decks, and patios. Then, when the cold, dark, Swedish winters arrive, they are brought indoors to brighten up interiors (and moods), where they are safely protected from frost. The idea has got us feeling inspired, and luckily, it's easy to try at home.
(Image credit: Pelargonium for Europe)
Picking the right pelargonium for you
What surprises many who are new to these plants is the variety on offer, from soft pastel shades to neon brights with variegated fol
•
As the part of the world that bought us hygge, lagom and IKEA, we have a lot to thank Scandinavia for. The region continues to inspire us when it comes to interior design style, but they also influence the way we decorate our outdoor spaces too, and now one of their best-loved planting trends has caught our eye.
Pelargonsjuka is a Swedish gardening idea that's all about the nation's obsession with one particular plant - the pelargonium. The planting idea has already proved popular across social media, and we're loving how instantly it can brighten up a backyard, patio, or balcony. If you're looking for a way to incorporate some traditional flowers in your gardening scheme but with a more contemporary take, this is where to start.
We spoke with Dr Susanne Lux, senior project manager at Pelargonium for Europe, to find out what this garden trend is all about, how we should be embracing it, and whether it's set to take over our spaces this summer. Here's what she had to say.
What is the Pelargonsjuka gardening trend?
(Image credit: Pelargonium for Europe)
The Scandi concept of ‘pelargonsjuka’ has been taking social media by storm, but beside
•
Pelargonium: “The Stork’s Head”
Please don’t call them “geraniums.” We have to get past that.
They’re actually pelargoniums, flowering plants indigenous to South Africa. In Sweden, where gardeners have a soft spot for these warm-weather natives, pelargoniums commonly spend the long winter indoors—in greenhouses or on windowsills, generally being coddled. There’s even a name for Sweden’s national addiction: pelargonsjukan, which translates to “pelargonic disease.” We prefer to think of it as a hobby.
Above: For more images, see Pelargoniums in our Photo Gallery. Photograph courtesy of Babes in Boyland.
These members of the family Geraniaceae are often misidentified as “geraniums.” Don’t they deserve better? With as many as species, pelargoniums play a lot of useful roles in the garden: shrub, scented herb, container plant, and cheerful window box companion.
Above: Photograph by Erin Boyle.
You say geranium, I say pelargonium . . . but where did the confusion start? You can blame the 18th-century Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus; he included them under the genus Geranium and the name stuck–despite the efforts of French botanist Charles L’Héritier to reclassify them a f