About
A low, spreading perennial, to 60cm tall, with deeply-veined leaves, to 10cm or more across, glossy, fresh green above, paler below. Small, nodding flowers are held in loose clusters, the rounded, sharply-reflexed, petals are dark maroon-black, rose-pink at the base and are borne in mid to late 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 moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitTrailing
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCoastal, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
Native toYunnan, Sichuan provinces, China
Care notes
CultivationGrows best in part or full shade in moderately fertile, well-drained soil, but most soils (unless waterlogged) are tolerated. Especially good in damp shade
PruningCut flowered stems and old leaves to the base to encourage new foliage and flowers
PropagationPropagate by division in spring or basal cuttings in early or mid-spring and root with bottom heat. Propagate by seed in containers outdoors as soon as ripe or in spring
Pest resistanceMay be damaged by capsid bug, vine weevil larvae, sawfly larvae, slugs and snails
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a rust, downy mildews, leafy gall, a virus and powdery mildews