Geranium wlassovianum

Geranium wlassovianum displays ornamental, changing foliage, speckled with bronze-purple in spring. it becomes more olive-green as the season progresses, and then adorns itself with beautiful autumn colours. Its dark pinkish-purple flowers, highlighted with white at the centre, are modest in size but bright. Its flowering can flourish from summer to autumn on a robust and vigorous plant. This reliable and hardy plant is beautiful for a good part of the year. To fully enjoy it, plant it at the edge of a flower bed or in pots, in partial shade or in the sun, in moist soil.

Geranium wlassovianum, also known as Siberian Geranium, belongs to the Geraniaceae family and is native to the moist plains of Eastern Asia. It is a robust species with spreading stems, forming a wider than tall clump from spring, reaching a height of 30 to 35cm (12 to 14in) and a width of 40 to 45cm (16 to 18in). The foliage consists of fuzzy, rounded, lobed leaves, with the lamina often speckled with purple-brown. Its colour evolves throughout the season, taking on purple to red hues in autumn. The flowers are small, measuring no more than 2cm (1in) in diameter. They are a dark purple-pink colour, veined with violet around a small white centre. They are arranged in loose clusters. The flowering occurs mainly in midsummer and continues into autumn, attracting butterflies.

Despite being underutilised in our gardens, this perennial geranium is an extremely hardy plant, especially in slightly moist soil. It is perfect for ground cover in the edge of woodlands, or planted in groups in sunny borders or rockeries, where it will decorate the garden for a good part of the year. For example, pair it with Thalictrum polygamum. Just avoid planting it in excessively dry and hot conditions. It can also be used to create beautiful containers with hebes, blue veronicas, or silver ragwort (Brachyglottis greyi).