However, that is merely it's trademark name and, according to this website, is an invalid name. The correct name is 'Verguld Saffier.' It's also listed as Geranium 'Blogold.' The name "Blue Sunrise," like the name "Diablo" for my Physocarpus 'Monlo,' is a tradename, part of a new trend to make plants more marketable. I find it incredibly irritating, especially when the tradename is something cutesy, such as "Pinky Winky." There is no way that I am buying any plant, even a great Hydrangea, with a name derived from a Teletubbies character. That's a part of my life I am attempting to consign to the dustbin of memory loss. I might consider buying a plant called Hydrangea paniculata 'DVPpinky,' as stupid as that name is. Tradenames are trademarks, with a limited duration, so theoretically, at some point, if the person holding the trademark fails to reregister it, another plant of the same genus and species can be given that name, creating the potential for even more confusion in plant nomenclature. Call me a curmudgeon, call me pedantic, call me a rebel against marketing, I really could not possibly care less. I'm digging in my heels on this one, and I will refer to plants by their registered names. I just wish plant purveyors would at least list the registered name on the tag. I had to search online to discover the true name of my new Geranium. Thank goodness Tony Avent, of Plant Delights Nursery, always uses the registered name (to the exclusion of the tradename). Like me, he despises the whole idea of tradenames. See here for his well-researched and explained objections.While I'm in rantmode, I may as well post these photos of really bad edging.
My parents paid money to someone to throw soil on top of their plants.
There really is no excuse for this. It's one of the reasons I favor a mowing strip instead of a spaded edge.
My parents paid money to someone to throw soil on top of their plants.
There really is no excuse for this. It's one of the reasons I favor a mowing strip instead of a spaded edge. Finally, to leave on a lighter note, I took this photo at The Growing Place.
The appeal is obvious. The Tulips are protected by the invention of a suburban Chicagoan which is called "BunnyFence." I bought one, but I haven't decided yet which plant gets the special treatment. My problem this spring is more with deer than rabbits. Maybe I'll test it out against deer.
The appeal is obvious. The Tulips are protected by the invention of a suburban Chicagoan which is called "BunnyFence." I bought one, but I haven't decided yet which plant gets the special treatment. My problem this spring is more with deer than rabbits. Maybe I'll test it out against deer. I went a little crazy yesterday and bought another Hellebore, but I just couldn't resist this one.
It's a plant from the 'Ballerina Mix' of hybrid Hellebores, which is supposed to be of double blooms. But, as with other seed strains of Hellebores, not all plants are as described. More on this in a later post.
It's a plant from the 'Ballerina Mix' of hybrid Hellebores, which is supposed to be of double blooms. But, as with other seed strains of Hellebores, not all plants are as described. More on this in a later post.Oops! I forgot to include the link to the BunnyFence website. Please click here for more information or if you want to order it.
25 comments:
Rant on girlie! I have a hard time researching some plants by the tags too...thank goodness for garden bloggers....cute bunny fence and a beautiful Hellebore.
MMD, You know, it's hard enough knowing what to call a new plant. But when someone adds their subjective "creativity..." Hmmm..
By the way, have you seen this post? http://yardisgreen.blogspot.com/2009/04/quietly-quietly-see-for-yourself.html (I took the liberty of linking to a former bunny post.)
:-) Enjoy this Beautiful Day!!
I have to get there soon! Maybe on my day off since the kids will still be in school.
Sounds like a plan!
That hellebore picture is stunning! want!
Go, MMD, go! Try to get a customer to take you seriously when they ask you to explain the difference between the hydrangeas in the nursery and you have to talk about Pinky Winky. How mortifying. Um, boss - can we please not buy these in anymore?
Oh I do like that Hellebore, very attractive. The BunnyFence + Bunny looks more like a garden sculpture!
I agree with you about the stupid plant names.
I think "Pinky Winky" is the stupidest name ever contrived. If I were the plant, I'd be embarrassed. Thanks for speaking out!
Hi MMD, a good thing to rant about, but what a gorgeous hellebore, double or no. And your earth day post was superb. Love your rainbarrel. Much more attractive than mine that looks like a plastic garbage can, but it was a gift and a very useful one. I have been filling the plastic milk jugs that used to be recycled with the rain water to save for later on when the drought returns. The bunny fence is too cute, ours bunnies seem to leave the veggies alone now that there is so much lush green growth. Ther are some patches of clover in the gravel for a bait and switch. :-)
Frances
MMD, Hey there! A good rant...sometimes they are just the right thing to have. What ever it's name...It is a great looking geranium...I love how it changes color through its blooming. The picatee hellebore is wonderful. Looks like a great addition to Squirrel haven! Sorry to hear about the dear deer! Gail
Pinky Winky??? I am of the stone age. I wouldn't know what a PW was. I would just think that the grower didn't ever grow up. Geez It should be against the law to change their names to something silly just to get someone to buy it.
LOVE the colour of your Hellebore!
A good rant is always a great idea in my worldview, MMD. And that hellebore is wonderful. I totally see why you bought it. Going to succumb myself and get one or two new ones, now that I've got a nice clump going into its third year.
I agree it's really confusing to have all these different kind of marketing and trademark names. Personally, I get so many of my plants as divisions so I don't have to deal with it full stop. Seeds are nice because they have the info on them, but I noticed some cultivar names don't agree with one another. Even heirloom tomatoes are confusing and different spellings or word order in the names!
I love that bunny fence! I'm surprised someone hasn't come up with an eye-appealing fence like this before. But I don't think I will be buying any soon...Sophie (the Golden puppy) was off leash last night and discovered her first baby rabbit. I will spare you the gory details, except to say she wanted to bring it inside...
MMD, I am a convert now on the botanical names. I get frustrated when I buy something with a trade name or from a catalog where they give a plant a cute name for marketing purposes. I've never quite sure what I'm buying.
That geranium certainly has attractive foliage whatever its name :)
Darla - I'm glad I'm not the only one struggling with plant names.
Shady - I feel bad for the plants stuck with the results of the creativity.
Laura - make sure you allow yourself plenty of time. We were there for about 2 hours.
Arythrina - thanks for making me feel better about my impulse purchase.
Nan - I hadn't thought about the effect of stupid names on the people trying to sell them. I feel for you!
Easygardener - it's wonderful when plant protection can be so attractive.
ROR - the poor plants can't speak for themselves. Which is probably a good thing, as I can imagine the bad language.
Frances - thanks. You're wise to add to your water reserves beyond a rainbarrel, but I hope you don't need them.
Gail - I got even more goodies. I just wish I could get them in the ground.
Lisa - The hydrangea is named sort of after TinkyWinky, the purple Teletubby. I agree, there oughtta be law!
Nancy Bond - I've definitely been drawn to the rubies & crimsons lately.
Jodi - While it is possible to have too many Hellebores, it is a very difficult thing to do. Plant more Hellebores.
Monica - add this stuff to the nomenclature changes, and you need a scorecard to keep up.
Rose - Good girl, Sophie! I'm sure you praised her lavishly.
Anna - I guess I'm maturing, I'm turning into a foliage freak.
Nice rant. It really drives me crazy when they don't list the registered and/or botanical name on plant labels.
And nice bunny fence. At last, a rather artful design for something pratical in the garden!
I wrote about G. Blue Sunrise a while back in an article. At times, I've found myself mired in the confusion of name changes. US tradenames & names appearing in Europe for the same plant are usually at odds. My friend Robin of Geraniaceae lives nearby - she's my go-to expert on geraniums!
On top of that, I grow 'Pinky Winky' - sent to me to trial. I agree, dealing with the name is worth a rant.
(re: your comment: I'm a foliage nut and could blather endlessly on plants grown for foliage alone. Rote Zeller grows w/ variegated Ampelopsis b. 'Elegans' =shapely leaves, gorgeous markings. I'm not sure of its zone hardiness, but I'd recommend both.)
Alice
That is a lovely hellebore. I agree with you about the names. This is very commonly done with lilium too.
Oh dear. The little tulip jail. And that's the problem; you can't exactly fill your whole yard with them. My friend's tulips have already been eaten down to the ground.
Can you explain your mowing strip border? We have a trenched edge, and it's too much work! We dig it out at least twice a year, mulch slides down into it, and grass and weeds often traverse the edge. Help! I'm on vacation, so explaining it in a comment on my own blog would work best. Thanks!
Oooh, that hellebore is a beaut! I find myself strangely drawn to the singles instead of the doubles of most flowers these days... I don't know if this is a trend reflecting my changing tastes, a reaction to some (IMHO) horrible plants like the frilly Razzmatazz echinacea, or just a coincidence.
(Your bloodroot above is an exception to that rule. It's gorgeous. And I adore double peonies, and some of the frilly tulips, too. Yeah, I'm fickle...)
I haven't been to the Growing Place in a few years, but I bought a ridiculous sculpture like that bunny when I was there (except it's a squirrel on a swing). I had to laugh when I saw that picture. That hellebore is BEAUTIFUL! I love the color and the double petals at the center. That's lovely. I seem to have a hellebore addiction, too. I added some Heronswoods doubles and 'Ivory Prince' to my garden this year. I'm not sure if they're still doing it, but Gethsamane in Chicago used to actually have "Hellebore Days" about this time each year. In case there's any change still rolling around the bottom of your purse. ; )
Great minds think alike. I was just considering a post about trademark names. I understand why the plant hybridizers want them, but I hate the TMs. They are cumbersome to write about and often stupid. As to Pinky Windy, I have two given to me @ GWA two years ago. This year, they should bloom. Stay tuned.~~Dee
Hi MMD,
That's one righteous rant (in the good sense of the word)! I too won't buy a plant with a silly name unless I'm really smitten with it ... though I did buy a columbine a few years back called "Winky Blue," which I thought was stupid. Turns out it wasn't very long lived either, so farewell and good riddance, Winky!
BTW, two of our Hellebores just started blooming finally! Will have to get some pictures this weekend if it doesn't rain all the time again!
That picture is really funny -- my tulips got annihilated by some mutant bunny, maybe I should get one for next year!
BTW, no problem with ranting - it's good for you.
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