Heritage pelargonium plants from Aberdeen's Duthie Park to grow at Balmoral Castle

A batch of special pelargonium plants, which originate from Aberdeen’s Duthie Park, have been delivered to Balmoral Castle.

The plants were grown in the heated botanical glasshouse at the David Welch Winter Gardens, and have only ever been bred from the previous year’s pelargoniums.

It means they have never been cross-bred with other or newer pelargonium strains, and are considered heritage plants.

The gardening team at Balmoral wanted some young cuttings for a project renovating the glasshouse and conservatory, to how the King remembered it from his childhood.

Some of the pelargonium varieties grown in the Winter Gardens include Lord Bute, Hilbre Island, Mrs Pollock, Mrs Parker, Hazel’s choice, Satsuki, Princess Alexandra, something special, and flower basket.

Aberdeen City Council’s parks manager Adam Walker said: “Given that some of the varieties we show are not available on the market anymore as flower fashions and trends move on, we were only too delighted to help out again as part of this project.”

Aberdeen City Council parks and green spaces champion Councillor Neil MacGregor said: “The gardeners at Duthie Park and the Winter Gardens do a fantastic job of ensuring they are both kept immaculate with a variety of things to do and see for all ages.

“It is an accolade for some of our flowers to be grown at Balmoral and we hope they give as much pleasure to visitors there as they do to people walking down the Victorian Corridor in the Winter Gardens.”