About

An evergreen, branching shrub to 1.5m with small, rounded, toothed-edged leaves with a strong, lemon scent. Small clusters of pinkish-purple flowers may be produced in spring, summer or autumn.

About the genus

Pelargonium can be perennials, sub-shrubs or shrubs, sometimes succulent and mostly evergreen, with palmately lobed or pinnately divided leaves and clusters of slightly irregular, 5-petalled flowers

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1C

Plant details

Plant typeBedding, Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
FragranceFoliage

Care notes

CultivationGrow in neutral or alkaline, well-drained, moderately fertile soil in full sun. Lift outdoor plants, or take cuttings, and keep in frost-free, well-lit conditions over winter. See also pelargonium cultivation
PruningRemove spent flowers and trim as required
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in spring, late summer and autumn
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly, caterpillars, glasshouse leafhopper, aphids, vine weevil and root mealybugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free