Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Red White | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Red White | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1CBotanical details
- Family
- Geraniaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- 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
Accepted
- Horticultural Group
- Decorative pelargoniums are medium-sized plants with rounded leaves and clusters of single flowers like those of Regals
How to grow
Cultivation
A high potash feed will encourage continuous flowering through late spring and summer. Can be moved outside after danger of frosts has passed. See pelargonium cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings in spring and summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- City and courtyard gardens
Pruning
Cut back by half in early spring to encourage flowering; deadhead regularly
Pests
Generally trouble-free, but may suffer from aphids in spring
Diseases
Generally disease-free, but may be susceptible to grey moulds, pelargonium rust and pelargonium viruses
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.