(Pelargonium 'Crystal Palace Gem') pel-ar-GO-nee-um Genus:  Pelargonium

'Crystal Palace Gem' was first introduced in 1869 and has been a star in the garden ever since. It was named for Joseph Paxton's elaborate glass house designed in 1851 for London's Great Exhibition in Hyde Park. Like its namesake, the plant is showy, with its round chartreuse leaves with a midgreen center and its salmon-red flowers. 'Crystal Palace Gem' looks good from spring until frost. -Marty Wingate, Plants to know and grow, Fine Gardening issue #120

Noteworthy Characteristics: 

Introduced in 1869. Variegated foliage and salmon-red flowers. Long bloom time.

Care: 

Provide full sun and lean, gravelly, well-drained soil. An all-purpose, organic fertilizer at planting time, regular watering, and a weak dose of nitrogen-rich liquid fertilizer every two or three weeks will keep this plant going strong throughout the growing season. In late fall, potted plants can be moved to a brightly lit, unheated greenhouse or cool kitchen window to overwinter until the following spring.

Propagation: 

From cuttings.

Problems: 

Thrips, spider mites, mealybugs, caterpillars, gray mold, mildew, black leg, flower break virus, Xanthomonas blight, edema.

Overview

Height 1 ft. to 3 ft. Spread 1 ft. to 3 ft. Growth Habit Clumps Light Full Sun Only Moisture Medium Moisture Maintenance Moderate Characteristics Showy Flowers, Showy Foliage Bloom Time Early Fall, Early Summer, Fall, Late Spring, Late Summer, Spring, Summer Flower Color Red Foliage Color Variegated Foliage Uses Beds and Borders, Container, Suitable as Annual Style Cottage Garden Seasonal Interest Spring Interest Type Perennials