On March 25, Syngenta Flowers’ Rosebud Astrid was awarded Geranium of the Year 2021 by the Swedish industrial organization Blomsterfrämjandet. The double-flowered pelargonium and its great growing qualities outshined all other nominated varieties this year.
What is Geranium of the Year? To highlight the diversity of the geranium range available on the market, every year one specific variety will be awarded. To receive the award there are a few requirements: the variety must be a healthy and vigorous geranium with something iconic and it must stand out compared to other geraniums.
Why was Rosebud Astrid selected as Geranium of the Year 2021? The variety has double flowers that shimmer in different shades of pink and apricot. The leaves are a fresh green with a broad, undulating, chocolate-brown zonal marking. In addition to a beautiful appearance, the variety has fantastic growing qualities: the geranium delivers floral splendor both indoors and outdoors, withstands rain and debris, and offers unlikely flowering all summer long.
Besides that, the flowers of Rosebud Astrid are very charming. They are small and almost rose-like and are tightly packed together like a small bouquet of terns. The edge of the petal is creamy white with a pink tinge, followed by romantic pink and then a deep, pale apricot. The color can vary depending on location, for example, the flowers take on a more apricot color indoors and more pink outdoors.
Anders Haglund, grower at Torsång Handelsträdgård in Dalarna: "I had the privilege of growing the variety last year and I must say that it is one of the best Pelargoniums of the Year we have ever had! 'Astrid' has a fantastic flower, is stable in cultivation, and really good at home with the end customer. I have had it out on the steps at home myself and it is very hardy. Many geraniums with double flowers are at risk of rain damage, but 'Astrid' is holding up very well. This variety has a chance of becoming a real favorite!”
For next year, growers can order Rosebud Astrid at their local Syngenta Flowers sales representative. The variety is for retail still available in Norway, Sweden, Finland, and France.
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