Pelargonium 'Queen Ingrid' – the majesty of the classic garden

Scientific name (Latin): Pelargonium x hortorum 'Mårbacka'

Family: Geraniaceae

It is not without reason that ‘Queen Ingrid’ is one of our most popular geraniums. The plant is fantastic indoors on the windowsill, but it is also a garden geranium that thrives well outdoors when the weather warms up. Here you can get majestic beauty in the garden from May to September. Put it in a pot or balcony box, or plant it out in the flower bed.

‘Queen Ingrid’ has large, pale pink, double flowers, both indoors and outdoors. The leaves are fresh green, with rounded lobes.

Pelargonium thrives best in full sun outdoors in summer, but 'Queen Ingrid' can also thrive in places with some shade. It is best to place it under cover, where it is sheltered from the rain. Before the heat comes, it is lovely indoors on the windowsill. With the right amount of water and fertilizer throughout the summer, it will grow beautifully and bloom luxuriantly in every corner of the garden, terrace or balcony.

• Repotting
  Feel free to repot the plant into a larger pot, balcony box or similar in the spring, so that the roots have enough space to grow strong. This contributes to both good growth and abundant flowering throughout the season.

• Soil and fertilizer
  Pelargonium prefers nutritious and well-drained soil, preferably potting soil.

• Nutrition
  From March to August, you can add a little liquid fertilizer.

• Watering
  Although pelargonium tolerates some drought, it develops best when watered regularly. However, let the soil dry out slightly between waterings, and water preferably in the evening or early morning during the summer season. If you water in the middle of the day, the water may evaporate before the plant can benefit from it.

• Pruning
  It is a good idea to regularly remove wilted leaves and flowers to ensure that the plant uses its energy on the healthy parts – and on making new, beautiful flowers.

Read also:

• Deadheading - the method that makes the flowers bloom again

'Queen Ingrid' can overwinter and bloom again next spring and summer, but it is important to bring the plant inside before the first frost. Water sparingly throughout the winter and make sure the plant is kept in a bright and cool place, but not below 5 degrees. In the spring, you can cut off wilted parts and repot.

When the danger of night frost is over in the spring, you can gradually accustom the plant to outdoor life again. Start by giving the plants a couple of hours outside on the first day, and then increase the time outside day by day over a couple of weeks, and it will be ready to live outside for the rest of the summer.

Read also:

• Propagation and planting of plants

'Queen Ingrid' is beautiful on its own in a separate pot, but it may look even better in combination with other flowers and plants. Just be careful not to plant too closely - the plant needs space to grow beautifully. Some suggestions for plants that can be combined with 'Queen Ingrid':

• Silver rain
• Ivy
• Light green ornamental grass
• Alum root with gray or silver leaves

TIPS FROM THE GARDENER:

- Elin F. Nordli, plant scientist with a master's degree in horticulture and a special fondness for daylilies (Hemerocallis)

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