Pelargonium Bermuda Merlot - Regal Geranium

The Pelargonium 'Bermuda Merlot' reinterprets the florist's geranium with its large symmetrical, bicoloured and fringed flowers, which somewhat resemble the flowers of pansies or gloxinias. Of a vibrant purple colour, they open up to a wide white throat finely edged with magenta pink. The plant blooms very early in the season and its flowers continue to appear for a long period on its beautiful bright green fan-shaped foliage. A bushy and compact variety, ideal for small gardens, verandas, hanging baskets and planters.

Florist pelargoniums, also known as large-flowered geraniums or pansy geraniums, are perennial hybrids of the geranium family, belonging to a broad group called Pelargonium x domesticum, Pelargonium x grandiflorum or Pelargonium 'Regal'. These hybrids, with complex ancestry, are mostly derived from Pelargonium cucculatum, native to the southeastern tip of Africa, with contributions from other species like Pelargonium diadematum and the large-flowered pelargonium, Pelargonium grandiflorum, which bequeathed them their large corollas.

The 'Bermuda Merlot' geranium forms a bushy clump with a fairly compact habit, reaching a minimum size of 30 cm (12in) in all directions. It blooms very early in spring, if protected from the cold, and continues flowering until autumn. The plant is covered with bicoloured and flat flowers (8 cm (3in) in diameter), with a satin texture, featuring intense purple petals with a white centre, very wide and with highly undulated edges. Its sturdy and succulent stems bear large circular leaves, pleated, with toothed edges and a thick texture, in a vibrant green colour, very healthy.

Once reserved for balconies and terraces, pelargoniums are now making a remarkable entry into sunny flowerbeds and borders. Plant them in masses to create a lasting and cheerful display throughout the summer. These plants tolerate water scarcity quite well, allowing them to be paired with garden verbenas, lobelias in extraordinary blues, and black or purple-leaved ipomoeas (Ipomoea Illusion Midnight Lace, Ipomoea Sweet Heart Purple). Create beautiful pots and hanging baskets by combining them with bright pink or red varieties, Million Bells, variegated periwinkles, Dichondra Silver Falls, violets, and calibrachoas.

Note: Please be aware that our plug plants are professional products intended for experienced gardeners: upon receipt, transplant and store them in sheltered areas (veranda, greenhouse, cold frame) at temperatures above 14°C (57.2°F) for a few weeks before planting them outdoors once the risk of frost has passed.