By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
A Geelong club dedicated to one of the most popular garden plants in the world reaches its 50th anniversary on 26 May.
But Geelong Pelargonium Club’s devoted members fear their group won’t see another significant milestone.
Publicity officer Laurie Cocking said members were not as youthful as they used to be and attracting younger people to the pastime was difficult.
“Sadly, gardening knowledge is being lost because younger people aren’t interested,” he said.
“We have several life members but there’s no chance the club will survive another 50 years.”
Despite the bleak outlook, members are looking forward to celebrating the milestone at their clubrooms near Geelong Botanic Gardens’ pelargonium house.
The rounded shelter holds more than 200 varieties of the species, with variegated leaves and differently coloured and shaped petals.
“They beauty of pelargoniums is they’re easy to grow and propagate, with some varieties flowering year-round,” Laurie said.
“They’e often seen in gardens around the house but thrive as well in pots, say on a veranda or balcony, and can even be indoors for periods of time.”
More information about the club is available from Laurie on 0408 529 845 or lauriehydro@hotmail.com.
