Cousin Patricia

This wonderful picture of Geranium psilostemon Patricia is courtesy of BBC Gardeners' WorldEarly on in my blog postings I mentioned that Geranium psilostemon was my favorite perennial and that it is hard to find. I have since discovered that its scarcity is due to the fact that it has been replaced by its cousin, Geranium psilostemon Patricia. Nurseries that understand the quiet power and beauty of this cultivar have been stocking and restocking Patricia due to its popularity. I have used it successfully this year in several English style gardens and have even snuck it into larger neat gardens because it is able to camouflage its shagginess; its far reaching stems have a way of weaving themselves among other perennials. The casual observer will be detracted by the intense color of its blooms and will remain unaware of the mass of its foliage.

Unlike other geraniums that perform as ground cover, this cultivar grows somewhat upright. Although it will spread above ground in a 3 feet diameter, its root ball and crown will reamin neat and compact. Because only its stems spread, it cannot be considered an invasive plant. It only looks like one from afar.

Perennial geraniums are prolific propagators. The neophyte gardener will be so pleased at the simplicity of dividing this plant. Lift a mature clump out of the ground. Pull at its root ball to reveal subdivisions of smaller root systems that are actually new plants. Replant the smaller plants immediately. Beyond the month of May, this propagation will cause the plant to go into shock and all of its foliage will dry up. With proper watering, it will begin to show signs of new growth from its straw-like crown within a few weeks.

Patricia blooms in sun to part shade from June until September in zones 3 to 7 and grows at least 30 inches in height. Like its cousin, the species, this variety flowers in a strong magenta-pink color with star-shaped black centers that together create an intense vibrancy. This perennial is an eye catcher.

Click here to read the original journal entry on Geranium psilostemon.

 

Comments

[Sylvana]

I have and love Ballerina. I haven't been able to find it ever since I finally got the hang of growing it (it was a little tricky). This year I found Purple Pillow and snapped it since it had similar foliage and looked like a darker version of Ballerina. I have native geranium in my garden that just showed up one day. It needs no extra care and blooms all summer long. It make a great filler! And I have found that not all of the plants behave the same - some are bushier and more compact while other seems to work more like ground covers. Aha! It's the hybridizing!