Geranium himalayense Irish Blue

The perennial Geranium 'Irish Blue' is an old selection of Himalayan Geranium that bears flowers in summer, and more sporadically in autumn, of a lighter blue than the type species, becoming purple-pink towards the centre, illuminated by a white heart. This vigorous plant forms beautiful dense and spreading cushions, with finely cut foliage and marked veins. It is excellent ground cover and a charming plant, slowly spreading thanks to its underground rhizomes. It elegantly withstands the winter cold and occasional drought, showing little demand regarding soil type.

Geranium himalayense belongs to the Geraniaceae family. It is native to the Himalayan mountains. The cultivar 'Irish Blue' was discovered in 1947 in Ireland by the famous horticulturist Graham Thomas. It forms a wide and dense cushion, with a regular dome shape, reaching a height of 40 cm (16in) and a diameter of 60 cm (24in). Flowering starts at the end of May, peaks in June, continues into July, and slows down in August. From September to October, the flowers appear sporadically, depending on the climate. The clustered flowers are round, open cups measuring 5 cm (2in) in diameter, of a beautiful light blue washed with mauve, with a white heart surrounded by a pink-purple zone. The overall effect is fresh and bright. The deciduous foliage is composed of large velvety leaves with prominent veins, medium green in colour, measuring 5 to 20 cm (2 to 8in) long including the petiole. The plant has a quite specific root system, with a central and single taproot, and a few large fibrous secondary roots.

Like many of its relatives, the Himalayan Geranium is well-suited to natural gardens, providing a source of food for numerous insects such as butterflies and bees. It is therefore an ideal plant for cottage gardens, rockeries, and borders. It also pairs well with old roses and peonies. Combine it with a silvery carpet of Cerastium tomentosum, or with creeping bugleweed with purple foliage - these simple plants will enhance its dome of flowers. It also grows well in large pots, with regular watering and fertilising.