Fibrex Nurseries is celebrating 60 years and putting on a pelargonium party.
Pelargoniums sum up summer for me. They’re widely used in Cheltenham’s parks and seem to be everywhere when we head to Italy. Most are the red or pink drumsticks of flowers on zonal pelargoniums with occasionally a trailing variety and it would be easy to think that’s all there was to these summer stars.
In fact, there’s a lot more with everything from Stellars with cut-leaf foliage to the scented-leaf, which have rather insignificant flowers but wonderful fragrance.
One of the best places to see them is at Fibrex Nurseries, which has held the National Collection for more than 30 years.
I’m lucky enough to live close and a summer trip to their flower-filled glasshouses is a real treat.
This year, the family-run firm is celebrating 60 years in the business and has lined up a weekend of talks and workshops, highlighting not only their pelargonium collection but also the Fibrex Fern Collection, one of the best in the UK, and their National Collection of Hedera, or ivies.
“It’s going to be fantastic and so exciting,” said Heather Godard-Key, who works in the business alongside her husband, Richard, and sisters-in-law Angela and Ursula.
One of the highlights of the weekend will be the National Pelargonium Show. Exhibitors from all over the country will be showing off their ‘pellies’ and vying for the top prize of ‘Best in Show’.
It’s the first time the Pelargonium and Geranium Society, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, has held the annual event at Fibrex but there’s the possibility it may become a regular thing.
Everything you need to know about growing pelargoniums will be covered over the two-day event with talks on the right compost, how to keep pelargoniums flowering for longer, propagating, the history of the unusual Zonartic Pelargoniums, and even cooking with pelargoniums.
“I’ll be showing people how to layer the leaves with sugar to get the flavour out, infusing, different methods of extracting the oil and which varieties to use for ice cream, cordials and cake,” said Heather, adding that there would be a chance to sample.
The nursery team have been hard at work and there will be Pelly Cake, Smelly Pelly Fudge, jelly and pops available. They have also made Smelly Pelly Shorts, a type of shortbread flavoured with the lemon-scented ‘Mabel Grey’.
“It’s really refreshing on a hot day with a cup of tea.”
Other speakers at the event include former Whichford Pottery head gardener Harriet Rycroft talking about container gardening and leading horticulturalist Jim Buttress who will speak about his 65 years in the industry.
As well as pelargoniums, Fibrex will be putting ferns and begonias in the spotlight with both the Pteridological (Fern) Society and the Begonia Society attending.
There will be talks on the history of ferns and their propagation, including layering and division, and the chance to walk around the Fibrex collection.
“The ferns are looking amazing,” said Heather.
In addition, Chelsea favourites Pheasant Acre Plants will be there with their dahlias and bulbs and Keder Greenhouse, which recently installed a new glasshouse at Fibrex, will be offering advice on greenhouses.
After an unbroken run of 55 years, Fibrex decided not to do RHS Chelsea this year in order to concentrate on the celebration weekend.
“It’s created a different atmosphere in the nursery,” said Heather. “We’re just looking forward to having a fun time.”
• ‘The Big Show’ runs at Fibrex Nurseries from 10am to 5.30pm on Saturday and Sunday June 16 and 17, 2018. Entry is free but there is a charge for the talks and refreshments. There will be plants for sale. To book tickets for the talks and for more details, see the website.