Geranium pratense Dark Reiter

The Perennial Geranium pratense Dark Reiter is a variety derived from the meadow geranium, with a striking contrast between the very dark purple tinged with brown of its deeply cut foliage, the dark red of its stems, and the lavender blue of its flowers punctuated with black stamens. This contrast makes the blue very intense, especially in partial shade. It blooms in June and July, forming a surprising chiaroscuro carpet, original and refined. It is a variety with a strong character, but also a perennial for all gardens, highly resistant to mildew and tolerant of drought once well established. However, it prefers partial shade, soft or protected sunlight during the most intense hours.

The Perennial Geranium pratense Dark Reiter belongs to the Geraniaceae family. It is a variety developed from Geranium pratense 'Midnight Reiter' and 'Victor Reiter', but derived from the meadow geranium, which in nature is distributed over a vast territory, from western Europe to western China. This deciduous and robust species is found in wet meadows, on the roadside, in mown meadows. The Dark Reiter variety has a semi-carpeting tufted habit. It reaches approximately 25 cm (10in) in height and 30 cm (12in) in diameter, with rapid growth. It blooms in June and July, and is more floriferous if you regularly remove faded flowers. Its flowers, grouped in cymes, bloom at the top of hairy branched stems, in shades of red to purple. Its flowers, with a diameter of 4 cm (2in), are lavender blue, with pink stamens and almost black anthers, giving character to the heart of the flower. They stand out well from the compound foliage of large polygonal leaves, intensely lobed and toothed, purple, sometimes chocolate, which retain their color throughout the season. They measure 20 cm (8in) in length and are located almost along the sturdy stems.

Like many other perennial geranium species, Geranium pratense and its varieties thrive in a nature-friendly garden and are superb plants, providing nectar and pollen for many insects such as butterflies, bees, bumblebees, etc. It is an ideal plant for a curated garden, in a bed, as a border along a path, or on slopes. The Dark Reiter cultivar truly stands out from the usual varieties; it deserves a special place in a border, along a path, or even in a container on the terrace. For example, pair it with the clematis 'Hagley Hybrid', with its large pink flowers, which it accompanies in flowering, or with tall foxgloves. Also consider Heucheras and Tiarelles in partial shade.