Jim Zemcik will present, “Growing the Modern Geranium.” 

Jim Zemcik, a San Diego native, is an internationally known geranium breeder whose hybrids are available in both Europe and North America. Many of Jim’s new plants are introduced in conjunction with the Marston House Museum in San Diego’s Balboa Park. 

Jim is very active with the Park Department, working to provide large geranium plantings throughout the park and he has introduced a series of plants named after San Diego luminaries who were instrumental in the creation and development of the park. These include: ‘George Marston’, ‘Kate Sessions’, ‘John Spreckels’, and ‘Anna Gunn Marston’.

Jim also named a geranium to honor Betty Peabody, a tireless volunteer in Balboa Park since 1969. Betty, who founded the Friends of Balboa Park, was named California Champion of the Community for her continued involvement in all areas of the park.

Jim’s series of virtually pest-free geraniums have become the official City flowers of many California cities. These include: ‘Santa Maria Centennial’, ‘Huntington Beach Centennial’, ‘Lompoc’, and ‘Chula Vista Centennial’, as well as ‘Hidden Jewel’ (the logo of the City of Villa Park). His ‘Balboa Park 2015’ was the Balboa Park signature plant for its 2015 centennial celebration.

The last few years have seen Jim’s breeding interest shift to smaller Martha Washington geraniums called Angels. These plants are usually named after the cartoon characters in the fictional town of Duckport, which is the brainchild of Suzy’s Zoo creator Suzy Spafford. Always a hit, they are generally released in mid-May.

Jim and Linda Zemcik have been strong supporters of the San Diego Floral Association for many years. We are delighted that he will share his knowledge and expertise with us at our April meeting.

Free & Open to the Public