Overview
Geranium 'Purple Rain' is a clump-forming, mat-forming, trailing, carpet-forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Geranium, part of the Geraniaceae family, with light green, bright green, silvery, dissected, patterned foliage. Geranium 'Purple Rain' grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include borders, cottage gardens, rock gardens, woodland beds and containers.
About
Geranium 'Purple Rain' is a cultivar of the Geranium genus, which includes a range of herbaceous and evergreen plants with rounded, often palmately lobed leaves and five-petalled flowers. This particular cultivar forms clumps and mats with trailing, carpet-like growth, and features light to bright green, silvery, dissected, and patterned foliage. It thrives in full sun on well-drained, neutral loam soils and is hardy to UK zone H5. Suitable for borders, cottage and rock gardens, woodland beds, and containers, it is best grown in sheltered, south-, west-, or east-facing aspects during the summer season.
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.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Geranium
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Geranium 'Purple Rain' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Clump-forming, Mat-forming, Trailing, Carpet-forming
- Foliage
- Light green, Bright green, Silvery, Dissected, Patterned
- Suggested uses
- Borders, Cottage gardens, Rock gardens, Woodland beds, Containers
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Geranium 'Purple Rain'
- Propagation
- Seed, Division, Cuttings
- Pest resistance
- Aphids, Vine weevil, Caterpillars, Thrips
- Disease resistance
- Grey moulds
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Geranium 'Purple Rain'?
Geranium 'Purple Rain' prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Geranium 'Purple Rain' need?
Geranium 'Purple Rain' grows best in loam soil. It prefers neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Geranium 'Purple Rain' hardy in the UK?
Geranium 'Purple Rain' has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Geranium 'Purple Rain'?
Seed, Division, Cuttings.
More in the Geranium genus
- Geranium 'Brookside'Geranium
- Geranium 'Copper Tiger'Hardy Geranium
- Geranium 'Nimbus'Geranium
- Geranium 'Patricia'
- Geranium 'Red Dwarf'
- Geranium 'Wargrave Pink'
- Geranium Patricia ('Brempat')cranesbill [Patricia]
- Geranium albanum 'Pink and Stripes'
