Erodium pelargonifolium ID wanted

[maggiepie]

I have a couple of these plants grown from seed this year and am wondering if someone can ID the plant.
They are still outside in the garden and have been frozen and thawed at least a dozen times but are still bouncing back.
I am thinking of digging one up to bring inside for winter as neither of them have flowered.

[shelagh]

Trifolium springs to mind,we grew some from seed a few years ago.

[maggiepie]

Thanks Shelagh. Do you still have them?
Do you know what temps these erodiums are hardy to?

[mark smyth]

I think pelargoniifolium and trifolium is the same plant. I found it very floriferous but short lived

[mark smyth]

Plant Finder lists both plants

[maggiepie]

Mark, in your opinion, what are the hardiest erodiums?

[shelagh]

Helen,

I have just sent Brian out to look at the labels.  I'm not sure of all the spellings but here is a list of our best, long lived and floriferous Erodiums.

E Tyni Kyni
E Natasha
E Marsham Pink
E Frans Delight
E Julie Ritchi
E Maryla
E Stephanie
E Pickerings Pink

Hope these are helpful.

[shelagh]

Sorry Helen just read your post again.  Trifolium was floriferous but didn't survive a Lancashire winter.  All the ones I have mentioned have been in the garden for several years and we often go down to minus 5 or maybe even a touch more.

[maggiepie]

Thanks shelagh.
The only one in your list I have heard of is E Natasha.
Do you have pics of any of them?
The ones that wintered for me last year were E Manescavi, E carvifolium, E Lindavicum and E Cedrorum.
I grew E Gruinum this year and have seedlings coming up everywhere, I doubt any will survive the winter though.

[Maggi Young]

I have a few species Erodiums, nothing fancy, but I like them but I must admit I was not aware of any of the cultivar names in Shelagh and Brian's list .... I will need to seek some of these plants out next year since I think that these can be such useful plants for foliage and flower appeal.

[pel1]

Hi,
I have read that Pelargoniiflorum and Trifolium are seperate species, but are easily confused. One distinguishing feature of Trifolium is a fleshy caudex like stem base, I don't think Pelargoniiflorum has this feature. Attatched are photos of both for you to compare-Pelargoniiflorum was at RHS Wisley, Trifolium at Kew, so the labels ought to be correct in theory. Hope this helps you, James.

[maggiepie]

I have a few species Erodiums, nothing fancy, but I like them but I must admit I was not aware of any of the cultivar names in Shelagh and Brian's list .... I will need to seek some of these plants out next year since I think that these can be such useful plants for foliage and flower appeal.

Maggi, I agree, they are very useful plants, I always find myself bending down to have a closer look whenever I pass one in flower.
Some of them look like they have little faces that smile back at me.

James, thanks for the pics, after looking at the pics next to mine until my eyes crossed, I am thinking my plant is more likely to be E Trifolium.

[mark smyth]

Can I advertise again?
http://www.marksgardenplants.com/erodium.htm

[Maggi Young]

Can I advertise again?
http://www.marksgardenplants.com/erodium.htm

Is it really "advertising" Mark, when you are not selling us anything, only helping us out by providing info ? 

[pel1]

Looking again at your origional photo I would be inclined to agree, it looks like Trifolium to me too, but I wouldn't pretend to be an erodium expert. The tuber of trifolium should be easily visible by the way-does your plant have one?
regards, James.