World assortment of frost-resistant geraniums (<i>Geranium</i> L.)

Abstract

The article provides a general brief information about the genus Geranium L. and modern data on the state of the world assortment of this genus based on the register compiled in 2015 at the initiative of the International Geraniaceae Group. The assortment of geraniums is analyzed by origin, types of use in landscaping as perennial herbaceous flowering and decorative deciduous plants. The species that are the maternal forms of the largest number of cultivars created as a result of intra- and interspecific hybridization have been identified. These are Geranium pratense , G. × oxonianum (in 12-14% of cultivars), G. cinereum, G. phaeum, G. sanguineum (in 6-8% of varieties) and G. × antipodeum, G. x cantabrigiense, G. clarkei, G. harveyi, G. macrorrhizum, G. maculatum, G. nodosum, G. psilostemon, G. sylvaticum, G. wallichiabum (in 2-4% of the world assortment of geraniums). In accordance with world practice, the grouping of species and cultivars by habit is given, with their subdivision into groundcover, spreading, mound-forming or upright. The timing of flowering geraniums and the prospects for their use in Russia are reflected.