About
This clump-forming perennial. Plants make mounds, 25-30cm tall, of rather deeply dissected leaves, gold-tinged when young, then slightly marbled green. Flowering stems are to 55cm, and will scramble through surrounding plants. Flowers are to 3m wide, dusky violet-pink with very dark veining and central eye zone. Long flowering season.
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 sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, North-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile well-drained soil in full sun or part shade, but most soils (unless waterlogged) are tolerated
PruningRemove flowered stems and old leaves to encourage the production of fresh growth and flowers
PropagationPropagate by seed when ripe in spring (cultivars may not come true), propagate by division in spring, late summer or autumn and increase by basal cuttings taken in early or mid-spring and root with bottom heat
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to vine weevil larvae, sawfly larvae, slugs and snails
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a rust, downy mildews, leafy gall, a virus and powdery mildews