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ShrubsHerbaceous Perennial

Pelargonium quercifolium (Sc)

oak-leaved geranium

A tender evergreen sub-shrub, with young stems soft and covered with fine hairs, becoming woody with age. Leaves are aromatic, deeply lobed and incised, and sticky to the touch. Clusters of lilac pink flowers with reddish-purple markings are produced in late spring and summer

Other common names
almond geranium
village oak geranium
Synonyms
Pelargonium 'Karrooense'
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Pink Purple Green
Summer Pink Purple Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H2
Botanical details
Family
Geraniaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
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

Name status

Correct

Horticultural Group
Scented-leaved pelargoniums are evergreen shrubs or perennials with strongly aromatic foliage and small, single flowers in shades of pink, purple or white
Plant range
South Africa (Cape)

How to grow

Cultivation

May be planted outdoors in beds, baskets and containers after all risk of frost has passed; young plants may need to be hardened off first. Grow in fertile, neutral to alkaline soil in full sun, and overwinter indoors. See pelargonium cultivation for more detailed advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by softwood cuttings in spring or early autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Bedding
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Deadhead regularly. Trim back after flowering to encourage a compact habit

Pests

May be susceptible to vine weevil, glasshouse leafhopper, root mealybugs, aphids, caterpillars, thrips, fungus gnats and glasshouse whitefly

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds, black leg, pelargonium rust and pelargonium viruses

Get involved

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