I gardens
Virtues of the “Poor Man’s Rose By John A. Davies
Professor Stefan Buczacki, a UK gardening authority, recently called out “snobbery” in the British gardening world, resulting in the decline of the geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum) and it being labelled as ‘the poor man’s rose’.
Geranium variety Credit: Paul Crampel Fibrex Nuresries
Looking back to Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester in the 1960s, geraniums, along with other flowers, were considered the celebrities of the summer bedding display, much appreciated by people passing through and those sitting on the many benches in the gardens, simply enjoying the floral feast. I say this from personal experience, since as an apprentice with Manchester Parks Department at that time and working in the gardens, people would often remark that the colourful show gave them deep, satisfying pleasure.
Piccadilly Gardens in the 1960s
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