Pelargonium 'Silk' series with description and photos

The Silk pelargonium group includes hybrids with zonarticas, suitable for indoor growing. These also include varieties suitable for outdoor cultivation. The Silk line features pelargoniums in a wide range of shades—coral, pink, lilac, white, and more.

Pelargonium Silk: about breeding

The creator of the Silk collection is Irina Musina, a breeder from St. Petersburg. She has been cultivating pelargoniums and developing new varieties for over 12 years. During this time, Irina has developed over 30 varieties. In total, her collection comprises over 500 different pelargoniums.

Lagoon

Shjolk Laguna is a rosebud pelargonium for indoor and balcony growing. It's also suitable for open ground. The bushes are compact and branched, the stems are upright, and the leaves are rich green. This variety is highly decorative and looks extremely impressive.

The inflorescences are large, umbel-shaped, and densely double, reminiscent of half-opened roses. The petals are pleated and peach-orange in color.

Care features and characteristics:

• optimal soil acidity is neutral;
• planting location - in the sun and partial shade;
• frost resistance - up to -23°C;
• increased demand for light - if necessary, it is necessary to turn on the backlight;
• winter indoor temperature - no higher than +12°C;
• In hot weather, air humidification is recommended;
• drought resistance - high;
• you can’t feed with organic fertilizers;
• regular ventilation is necessary;
• flowering is lush.

Marquise

A zonal pelargonium with large, double, deep purple inflorescences. The flowers are bright and showy. The bushes are strong and stocky, compact, with thick stems. The flower stalks are short and sturdy. A self-forming variety for indoor growing.

Care features and characteristics:

• optimal soil acidity is neutral;
• for open ground - not suitable;
• flowering is abundant;
• does not require formative pruning;
• it is necessary to renew the plant with new cuttings obtained from the original bush;
• cuttings are grown in a mixture of peat and sand;
• transplant - every 5 years;
• Lighting - partial shade, to avoid fading and premature drying of leaves.

Swan

Silk Lebedushka is a zonal, densely double pelargonium with white, marshmallow-cream inflorescences. The bushes are stocky and compact, with dense, bright green leaves. The stems are strong and thick, and the shoots are upright. The inflorescences are large, with pleated petals.

Care features and characteristics:

• flowering is abundant, early, and long-lasting;
• Lighting - prefers sunny areas, can grow in partial shade, but then it blooms poorly;
• does not tolerate cold - shoots die off at 0°C;
• the intervals between adjacent plants are at least 20 cm;
• soil - a special soil mixture for pelargoniums;
• It is necessary to regularly pick off dried inflorescences - this will prolong the flowering period;
• In winter, watering is reduced, and in May, the plant is replanted into new soil;
• the variety does not tolerate stagnant water well, but the bushes must be watered regularly and abundantly, and in hot weather twice a day - morning and evening;
• After the first autumn frosts, pelargonium is transferred to a light and cool room (temperature +10…+14°C).

Heaven

One of the most luxurious and elegant varieties in the Silk collection. This zonal pelargonium has standard bushes, stocky and compact. The inflorescences are large, double, white with green or pastel shades. The caps are large, the leaves are bright green, without distinct zoning.

Care features and characteristics:

• flowering is lush and long;
• Lighting - prefers sunny places;
• frost resistance is low.

Aurora

Shjolk Aurora is a zonal pelargonium with densely double, umbel-shaped inflorescences resembling small roses. The flowers are peachy-pink. This variety is recommended for both outdoor and indoor cultivation.

Aurora's bushes are compact and neat, with lush green foliage. This variety is easy to grow and propagates easily from rooted cuttings.

Care features and characteristics:

• optimal soil acidity is neutral;
• frost resistance - up to -23°C;
• watering - moderate, water stagnation is not allowed;
• drought resistance - high;
• winter care - minimal watering and fertilizing;
• at temperatures below +12°C the plant does not bloom;
• flowering is abundant and long-lasting.

Moira

A rosebud pelargonium with densely double flowers. The inflorescences resemble lush roses. The color is light apricot. The bushes are compact but lush, with bright green leaves and numerous flower stalks.

Care features and characteristics:

• belongs to the dwarf group;
• the variety is demanding in terms of growing conditions - it needs fertile neutral soil, good lighting and regular watering;
• flowering - moderately abundant;
• intended for indoor and balcony growing, as well as in landscape design;
• minimum temperature for growth is +10°C;
• Too high temperatures are contraindicated - the plant reduces its flowering rate.

Bird

A unique golden-leaved variety with an unusual coloring. The flowers are single, but very striking. The white petals are speckled with pink, reminiscent of colorful bird eggs, hence the name. The foliage is not zonal. The bushes are compact and upright, with dense leaves and thick stems.

Care features and characteristics:

• stably transmits varietal characteristics during vegetative propagation;
• prefers sunny places;
• requires increased watering in hot weather.

Alchemist

Irina Kleymova herself considers this variety one of the most unusual in the Silk line. It has cool, lilac-purple blooms—a shade not found in other varieties in the series. The color is rich, with a small white spot in the center.

This semi-double variety has large inflorescences. The bushes are small, upright, and grow slowly. The leaves are bright green and non-zonal.

Care features and characteristics:

• flowering is abundant and long-lasting;
• rooting is long and reluctant;
• The shade differs in cloudy and sunny weather.

Venice

A standard zonal variety with compact, robust bushes. It has green, dense, and pubescent leaves. Zonation is poorly defined. The inflorescences are large, double, coral-red with raspberry hues. The undersides of the petals are white.

Care features and characteristics:

• flowering is abundant and long-lasting;
• is characterized by easy rooting;
• The variety is unpretentious and adapts well to different conditions.

Doll

A variegated zonal pelargonium with double, soft pink flowers. It has compact, upright, dense bushes with medium-sized inflorescences. The leaves are bright green, with a golden butterfly and bronze zone. The peduncles, stems, and petioles are white.

Care features and characteristics:

• lush flowering;
• the variety is unpretentious;
• prefers good lighting.

Lotus

A dwarf variety with bright pink, double blooms. Recently bred, it's still rare. The petals curl inward, reminiscent of a lotus. The bushes are small, branched, and graceful.

Care features and characteristics:

• abundant and long flowering;
• undemanding to growing conditions.

The Magic Flute

A zonal pelargonium with double flowers. The coloring is unique—the flowers are light, with orange tints on the petals. As they bloom, they acquire a crimson hue. Zonal patterns appear on the leaves depending on the sun's rays. The bushes are branched.

Care features and characteristics:

• The color depends on growing conditions and varies from bright orange to creamy peach;
• cuttings fully convey varietal characteristics;
• flowering is long lasting.

The Silk pelargonium group boasts a rich collection, featuring many interesting varieties with distinct shapes, flower sizes, colors, and other characteristics. All of the pelargoniums featured are highly decorative, sure to appeal to indoor gardening enthusiasts and will enhance even the most elegant interior.

Frequently Asked Questions