About
Lobed glossy green foliage is produced on stems to 45cm (18in) and across along with mid purple flowers fading to a paler edge on the petals and darker purple veins. A reasonably compact, semi-evergreen, clump-forming herbaceous perennial, retaining its foliage in all except very cold winters. Its tolerance of dry shade once established make it an useful subject for growing beneath taller growing shrubs.
About the genus
Geranium can be annuals, biennials and perennials, herbaceous or evergreen, with rounded, usually palmately lobed or divided leaves, and lax inflorescences of rounded, 5-petalled flowers
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageSemi evergreen, Deciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in partial shade. The plant can tolerate dry shade once established.
PruningCut old, winter-damaged foliage back to the ground in spring
PropagationPropagate by division in spring or propagate by basal cuttings in early to mid spring and root with bottom heat. The plant can seed itself around once established but seedlings may not come true to the named cultivar.
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to vine weevil, geranium sawfly, slugs and snails
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to Powdery mildews, downy mildews and a virus