Geranium cinereum v. subcaulescens Giuseppii

The perennial Geranium cinereum v.subcaulescens 'Giuseppi' forms a cushion of dark green, matte, ash-coloured foliage, and is adorned with vibrant carmine red flowers with a contrasting black centre. It blooms on beautiful spring days and then accompanies the return of September rains in a festive manner. This hardy montane perennial will give its best with its head in the sun and its roots anchored in the rockery, on inhospitable slopes and in poor soils. Its very natural style is well suited for rocky or wild gardens.

Geranium cinereum v.subcaulescens is a member of the Geraniaceae family, native to herbaceous rocky areas in the mountains of southern Europe up to the Balkans. 'Giuseppi' displays particularly brilliant flowering. It is an herbaceous perennial plant with a woody stump forming a cushion 15-20 cm (6-8in) in height and at least 20 cm (8in) in diameter. Its growth is quite rapid, with the plant reaching its full development in two or three years. The foliage, semi-evergreen, is arranged in a rosette. It consists of leaves 5 to 7 cm (2 to 3in) in diameter, almost without stems, deeply lobed and divided, pubescent, dark green with greyish reflections, soft to the touch. The flowering occurs for the first time in late spring, in the form of 2 to 3 cm (1in) diameter open cups, more vivid than the type species, carmine-red veined with red, slightly more pink in the centre, around a black heart, and grouped in clusters of 2 or 3, carried above the foliage by 20 cm (8in) stems. After a summer rest period, the plant usually blooms again in September-October. This geranium slowly spreads, without ever becoming invasive.

The perennial Geranium cinereum v. subcaulescens 'Giuseppi' will find its place in a rockery, at the forefront of perennial beds, or in sunny borders. It will have a beautiful effect in a flowerpot or a well-draining planter. It pairs well with plants that have similar needs such as the perennial Geranium renardii, Geranium dalmaticum, iberis, limonium, whorled asters, and coreopsis. It is an ideal perennial for mountain gardens.