Pelargonium Cassiopeia

Pelargonium peltatum Cassiopeia ('Pacpeia') is an extraordinary new variety that combines the qualities of its two parent plants, the ivy geranium and the zonal geranium. Its numerous, single, deep red, velvety flower umbels are displayed on a compact, robust, vigorous plant with healthy dark green foliage. It blooms from the end of March until the first frosts. This plant boasts excellent resistance to heat, bad weather, and drought. It is a champion in all categories for balconies!

This interspecific or hybrid geranium is a recent variety resulting from the cross-breeding of Pelargonium peltatum, the ivy geranium, and P. zonale, both of which are plants from the geranium family. They are native to South Africa. This variety bears 'zonale'-type flowers and leaves. It forms strong stems like zonal geraniums, but they are flexible and slightly creeping like ivy geraniums. It is more floriferous and boasts a rapid growth rate. It forms a 50cm (20in) tall clump with a 35 to 40cm (14 to 16in) spread. The slightly fleshy and aromatic dark green leaves are circular and peltate. The remarkably long and abundant flowering takes place from March-April until the first frosts. The large umbels of single flowers are rounded and fully opened, with a dark red, velvety appearance.

These geraniums are generous and undemanding plants, but Cassiopeia surpasses them in vigour and robustness. It is a perfect plant for decorating pots for a large part of the year, requiring little maintenance. Formerly reserved for balconies and patios, pelargoniums have made a noticeable entrance into sunny flower beds and borders. Plant them en masse to create a lasting and cheerful decoration throughout summer. They tolerate water shortage quite well, meaning they can be combined with garden verbenas, blue lobelias, and black or purple-leaved ipomeas (Ipomoea Illusion Midnight Lace, Ipomoea Sweet Heart 'Purple'). Create beautiful pots and hanging baskets by combining them with white or red varieties, Million Bells, variegated periwinkles, Dichondra 'Silver Falls', violets, and calibrachoas.

Please be aware that our young plug plants are professional products intended for experienced gardeners. Upon receipt, repot and store them under cover (veranda, greenhouse, cold frame) at a temperature above 14°C (57.2°F) for a few weeks before planting them outdoors, once the risk of frost has definitely passed.