Geranium cinereum Rothbury Gem

The Perennial Geranium cinereum 'Rothbury Gem' is a delightful selection of the ashy geranium, renowned for its adaptation to rocky and poor areas. It is adorned with eye-catching flowers, in cups of lavender pink veined with deep magenta. They bloom all summer, on a cushion of finely cut leaves in a slightly grayish green, as long as the soil does not dry out too much in summer. Plant this small perennial amongst rocks in the rockery, on slopes and above stone walls. Also cultivate it in a pretty pot on the terrace!

The Perennial Geranium cinereum is a member of the Geraniaceae family. It is native to grassy rocky areas in the mountains of Southern Europe to the Balkans. The 'Rothbury Gem' variety is a recent introduction, awarded in England by the Royal Horticultural Society for its ornamental qualities and performance in the garden.

'Rothbury Gem' is a herbaceous perennial with a woody base forming a cushion 12 cm (5in) in height with a minimum diameter of 30 cm (12in). Its growth is quite rapid, reaching full development in two or three years. The foliage, usually evergreen in winter, is arranged in a rosette. It is composed of 5 to 7 cm (2 to 3in) diameter leaves, deeply lobed and divided, dark green with grayish reflections, and quite soft to the touch. The flowering is renewed from May-June to September if the soil does not dry out too much, in the form of 3 cm (1in) diameter flowers, in open cups. Their color is a brilliant duo of lavender pink and magenta. They are grouped in clusters of 2 or 3, carried above the foliage by 20 cm (8in) stems. This geranium spreads slowly, without ever becoming invasive.

The Perennial Geranium cinereum 'Rothbury Gem' is a rewarding small perennial that requires little maintenance. It naturally finds its place in rockeries, at the front of perennial beds, in sunny borders, in partial shade in the afternoon, in a light, well-drained soil. It will be very effective in a flowering pot or container. It pairs well with plants with similar needs such as the Perennial Geranium renardii, the Perennial Geranium dalmaticum, ibises, statice, bushy asters, catmint and whorled coreopsis. It is an ideal perennial for mountain gardens and highly mineralized landscapes.