Geranium 'Orion' — Clump-forming, Mat-forming, Trailing, Prostrate

Overview

Geranium 'Orion' is a clump-forming, mat-forming, trailing, prostrate perennial in the genus Geranium, part of the Geraniaceae family, with light green, bright green, silvery, dissected, patterned foliage. Geranium 'Orion' grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include borders, groundcover, rock gardens and woodland gardens.

About

Geranium 'Orion' is a clump-forming, mat-forming, trailing, prostrate Geranium with finely dissected leaves showing light to bright green tones and silvery patterning. It produces flowers from June to September. Suited to full sun or partial shade, it prefers moist but well-drained soils and tolerates chalk, clay, loam or sand. Its low, trailing habit makes it useful for softening edges and forming a ground cover.

About the genus

Geranium is a genus of 422 species of annual, biennial, and perennial plants that are commonly known as geraniums, hardy geraniums, or cranesbills. They are found throughout the temperate regions of the world and the mountains of the tropics, with the greatest diversity in the eastern part of the Mediterranean region.

Wikipedia contributors, "Geranium", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Geranium

In the garden

A named Geranium cultivar, Geranium 'Orion' establishes as low mats of dissected foliage with a silvery cast and light to bright green tones. Flowering runs from June to September, during which time the plant holds a steady, low profile rather than a tall spike. The combination of prostrate and trailing habits means it can be left to spill over edges or knit between stones. Position where it receives full sun or partial shade; it will tolerate north- through west-facing aspects. Soil can be chalk, clay, loam or sand provided it remains moist but well-drained and not waterlogged. pH tolerance ranges from acid to alkaline to neutral, so placement is flexible; exposure can be either sheltered or exposed. In UK hardiness terms this is H4, so treat it as an average-hardy geranium suited to most temperate garden sites. Use it as a ground cover in borders, a filler for rock gardens, or an understorey in woodland-style plantings where its mats can knit bare ground. Where practical, let stems trail over a wall or a raised bed edge so the foliage pattern and habit are displayed to best effect.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Geranium

Sunlight: Full sun, Partial shade
Soil type: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH: Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture: Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Aspect: North, South, East, West-facing
Exposure: Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness: H4

Plant details

Geranium 'Orion' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Clump-forming, Mat-forming, Trailing, Prostrate
Foliage: Light green, Bright green, Silvery, Dissected, Patterned
Suggested uses: Borders, Groundcover, Rock gardens, Woodland gardens

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Geranium 'Orion'

Propagation: Seed, Division, Cuttings
Pest resistance: Generally pest-resistant
Disease resistance: Generally disease-resistant

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to plant Geranium 'Orion'?

Geranium 'Orion' prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.

What soil does Geranium 'Orion' need?

Geranium 'Orion' is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.