On 2/8/07 07:08, in article
, "Dave Poole"
wrote:

Sacha wrote:

... I can't find P. La France on
Google imaging so do you have a suggestion of a source for a photograph?

Unfortunately I don't have a pic and having just looked, there's one
on Fibrex's website though the colour is a bit 'off'. 'La France' is
an old variety that did the rounds for many years. I seem to remember
Hazel Key being quite fond of it, although it was rather too 'leggy'
as a young plant. If you could see a split cane sticking out of the
side of one of Fibrex's hanging baskets, you could guarantee 'La
France' or the bizarre 'Crocodile' was tied to it.

I don't know if it will produce results but I've sent the pics to Fibrex to
see if they can help ID it. It is indeed very like that but I'm not sure if
the streaking on 'La France' is quite the same. I had a look at Crocodile
and don't like that leave at all. It looks unhealthy!

There was a fabulous old dear called Monica Bennett who raised
Pelargoniums near Cradley Heath in the Midlands. She had an
incredible nursery brimming with all manner of species and hybrids and
her passion for them was always inspiring. Her main interest was with
the 'zonals' and she raised some very fine, large flowered singles as
well as some notable dwarfs. I used to pop over for a chat and a
cuppa whenever I could and was often tempted to stock some of her
'specials' at my nursery. For reasons that escape me now, that never
happened. She once told me that if she were starting all over again
she might work with the ivy-leafs and use 'La France' as her starting
point. I couldn't disagree with her logic. Back in the 60's and early
70's it was one of the best and is still worth growing today.

What a shame she isn't around now! Who has the National Collection, do you
know?

Acquaintance of yours was in yesterday, Peter from way up north, with his
sister. Very nice people.

Peter of Salvia-collecting fame? I think his sister lives in
Ashburton or somewhere on that side of the A38 and I understand he
comes down several times a year. .


That's right. I do admire his dedication - putting them all out in summer
and bringing them all back in for the winter!
BTW, don't remember if I asked you but are you growing Petrea volubilis in
your garden?
--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
(remove weeds from address)
'We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our
children.'