About
An upright perennial, to 60cm tall, with lobed leaves bearing a striking deep brownish-purple zone, and slightly nodding maroon flowers in late spring and early summer.
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
SunlightFull shade, Full sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in any, moderately fertile soil apart from waterlogged soils. Partial shade is best but full sun and shade are tolerated. Quite a tall species so may need support (see staking perennials) to prevent it flopping on some sites
PruningRemove flowered stems and old leaves to encourage the production of fresh leaves and flowers
PropagationPropagate by division in spring or propagate by basal cuttings in early to mid spring and root with bottom heat
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to vine weevil, geranium sawfly, slugs and snails
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews, downy mildews and a virus