Geranium oxonianum Orkney Cherry

The perennial Geranium Orkney Cherry is planted during spring or autumn. This variety, like all other perennial geraniums, is not demanding in terms of location and soil quality. It can be planted in any fertile soil that is well-drained but not waterlogged. It tolerates limestone. It thrives in the sun, which promotes flowering, or in partial shade. To plant your young plant, work the soil in a 20 cm (8in) cube, crumbling it well and adding a base amendment such as dried blood or dehydrated horn at the bottom of the planting hole. Position your plant, freed from its pot, covering the top of the root ball with 3 cm (1in) of soil. Fill in the hole and water generously to remove any air pockets. Space the plants 30 cm (12in) apart. During dry weather, regular watering is necessary for a few weeks to facilitate establishment, even though it requires little moisture in summer. However, give it little water in winter. From July to September, remove faded flowers and leaves to encourage new growth. If the foliage has not been killed by frost, cut back large clumps every spring to keep them compact and promote new vegetation. It is also possible to cut back after flowering and water well to encourage the plant to produce a neat clump.