Geranium magnificum Blue Blood

The Geranium perennial magnificum Blue Blood is a sturdy, floriferous plant, particularly elegant with its large flowers of a deep violet blue, whose dark appearance is enhanced by the presence of very dark violet veins on the petals. The plant forms a lush clump and its foliage takes on beautiful shades in autumn. Stunning in the company of chartreuse yellow flowering plants such as Euphorbia characias or E. polychroma.

The Geranium x magnificum 'Blue Blood' belongs to the geranium family. It is a horticultural hybrid whose ancestors are Geranium ibericum subsp ibericum and G. platypetalum. Combining their qualities, it has both large cordate and villous leaves and large, highly colored flowers. In terms of cultivation, it is a robust plant, easy to grow and floriferous, which withstands cold well, tolerates heat, and adapts to ordinary soil. This 'Blue Blood' variety forms a remarkable dome of vegetation, measuring approximately 60 cm (24in) in height and 50 cm (20in) in diameter. Its growth is quite rapid and the plant slowly spreads with the help of its short underground stolons, without ever becoming invasive. Flowering occurs from June to August in moderate climates, transforming the plant into a flowering ball. The five-petaled flowers, in cups, measure 4 cm (2in) in diameter. The petals are dark blue-violet with fine violet veins. They are grouped in compact cymes. The foliage is deciduous in winter. It is medium green, adorned with pretty orange and purple colors in autumn. The leaves are wide, rounded, pubescent, lobed, and dentate, overlapping each other. Note that all hybrid geraniums of magnificum are sterile therefore, you will not obtain any seeds.

The Geranium x magnificum 'Blue Blood' is suitable for all styles of gardens, from wild or romantic gardens, to herb gardens, to more carefully planned plant beds. It grows very well in large pots on the terrace or balcony. It will be highlighted by orange blooms, such as those of daylilies, and will enhance all mass rose plantings.