Geranium wallichianum 'Buxton's Variety' (geranium 'Buxton's Variety') — Mound-forming or spreading

Overview

Geranium wallichianum 'Buxton's Variety' is a mound-forming or spreading perennial in the genus Geranium, part of the Geraniaceae family, with deciduous or semi-evergreen; rounded, palmately lobed, often aromatic foliage. It typically grows around 0.3 m tall. Geranium wallichianum 'Buxton's Variety' grows best in full sun to partial shade, and tolerates most soils and acid and neutral or alkaline pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5–H7. Suggested uses include borders, rock gardens and ground cover. It is native to Himalayas.

About

Geranium wallichianum 'Buxton's Variety' is a mound-forming perennial valued for a long season of blue flowers. It reaches about 0.3 m and spreads to form a low clump. Leaves are rounded and palmately lobed, often aromatic when handled. Flowering runs from June to September.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Geranium wallichianum

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

Geranium wallichianum 'Buxton's Variety' is a mound-forming or spreading perennial from the Himalayas that produces a steady display of blue flowers from June to September. At around 0.3 m it stays low to the ground, making it suited to the front of a border or as a filler between stones in a rock garden. Give it full sun to partial shade and an ordinary, well-drained soil — it tolerates loam, chalk, sand or clay and a wide pH range from acid to alkaline. The plant prefers soil that is well drained but not parched and will grow in any aspect and in exposed or sheltered sites. Its hardiness rating of H5–H7 means it is hardy in most UK gardens, ranging from hardy (H5) to fully hardy (H7). Use Geranium wallichianum 'Buxton's Variety' as ground cover, at the front of mixed borders or within rock gardens where a low, flowering mound is needed. The rounded, palmately lobed leaves can be slightly aromatic when touched, which makes it worth planting where foliage will be noticed at close range.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Geranium

Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
Soil type: Almost any reasonable soil — loam, chalk, sand or clay
Soil pH: Acid, neutral or alkaline
Soil moisture: Well drained but not parched
Aspect: Any
Exposure: Exposed or sheltered
UK hardiness: H5–H7

Plant details

Geranium wallichianum 'Buxton's Variety' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Mound-forming or spreading
Foliage: Deciduous or semi-evergreen; rounded, palmately lobed, often aromatic
Height: 0.3 m
Suggested uses: Borders, rock gardens, ground cover
Native to: Himalayas

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Geranium wallichianum 'Buxton's Variety'

Cultivation: Among the least demanding of perennials, asking only for reasonable drainage and an open position. Shear the whole plant back hard after the first flush and water it in; most kinds then produce fresh foliage and a second showing by late summer.
Pruning: Cut back to a low framework after the first flowering to renew the foliage and prompt repeat bloom. Tidy any remaining growth in late autumn or early spring.
Propagation: Divide in spring or autumn. Many species self-seed freely, and basal cuttings suit cultivars that resent disturbance.
Pest resistance: Largely untroubled, though vine weevil grubs attack the roots of container plants and sawfly larvae occasionally strip leaves.
Disease resistance: Powdery mildew and rust may appear on congested plants in a dry summer; shearing back usually resolves both.

Frequently asked questions

How do I grow Geranium wallichianum 'Buxton's Variety'?

Among the least demanding of perennials, asking only for reasonable drainage and an open position. Shear the whole plant back hard after the first flush and water it in; most kinds then produce fresh foliage and a second showing by late summer.

Where is the best place to plant Geranium wallichianum 'Buxton's Variety'?

Geranium wallichianum 'Buxton's Variety' prefers full sun to partial shade. It suits exposed or sheltered positions.

What soil does Geranium wallichianum 'Buxton's Variety' need?

Geranium wallichianum 'Buxton's Variety' is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including almost any reasonable soil — loam, chalk and sand or clay. It prefers acid and neutral or alkaline soil. Aim for soil that stays well drained but not parched.

How do I prune Geranium wallichianum 'Buxton's Variety'?

Cut back to a low framework after the first flowering to renew the foliage and prompt repeat bloom. Tidy any remaining growth in late autumn or early spring.