Snobbish gardeners need to get over themselves – geraniums are not just for 'Nan's patio' The bedding geranium is under intense scrutiny from gardening snobs. Now a new marketing scheme hopes to revive its reputation 21 April 2021 • 6:00am Geraniums may be much abused, but they do come in the best shades of red Credit: Arpad Radoczy / Alamy The flower beds outside Buckingham Palace, also known as the Memorial Gardens, were created in 1901 as part of a memorial to Queen Victoria after her death. Bright lines of scarlet geraniums, wallflowers, and tulips have bloomed in regimental lines for decades; a true visual pleasure for passers-by.