Geranium Patricia

Description

Geranium ‘Patricia’ – cranesbill

Botanical name: Geranium ‘Patricia’
Common names: Cranesbill
Family: Geraniaceae
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Habit: Vigorous, bushy, clump-forming
Pot size: 2–3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 60–75cm tall × 90cm spread
Foliage: Large, deeply lobed green leaves; deciduous
Flowers: A long succession of vivid magenta-pink flowers, each with a striking black eye and dark veining, from early summer into autumn (June–September)
Scent: Not notably scented
Aspect / light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Most soils; moist but well-drained, fertile; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H7 (very hardy, below −20°C); USDA zones 4–8
Exposure: Sheltered or exposed; very tolerant
Native range: Garden form; hardy geraniums are native across Europe and Asia
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Geranium ‘Patricia’ is a vigorous, long-flowering cranesbill with vivid magenta-pink, black-eyed flowers from early summer into autumn. Bold, easy and superb for borders and pollinators.

GardenAdvice notes

A superb, hard-working cranesbill, ‘Patricia’ bears a long succession of vivid magenta-pink flowers, each dramatically marked with a black eye and dark veining, from early summer well into autumn. Vigorous and bushy, forming a substantial mound of large lobed leaves, it makes bold, long-lasting colour in a border and is a great favourite with bees — though it needs a decent amount of room.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring or autumn in most soils soil in full sun to partial shade — hardy geraniums are among the easiest and most adaptable of all perennials. Space about 45cm apart. Water while establishing.

Care & maintenance

The single most useful thing you can do is give it a hard cut-back once the first flush of flowers fades — shear the whole plant right down to near ground level. It responds with a fresh mound of clean foliage and, usually, a second flush of flowers. Cut down old growth in late winter. Lift and divide congested clumps every few years in spring. It is vigorous and needs room; it will often keep flowering into autumn without a chop, so cut it back only if it sprawls.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide established clumps in spring, as growth begins.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free and healthy — hardy geraniums are among the most reliable of all perennials. Slugs may graze new growth, and powdery mildew or rust can occur in dry spells. Otherwise easy.

Uses in the garden

Superb in cottage, mixed and wildlife borders, where its vivid black-eyed magenta flowers make bold, long-lasting colour and blend dramatically with blues, purples and silver foliage; good scrambling among shrubs.

Wildlife value

Hardy geraniums are excellent for pollinators: their open, saucer-shaped flowers are very attractive to bees, hoverflies and other beneficial insects, often over a long season.

Toxicity & safety

Hardy geraniums are generally regarded as non-toxic to people and pets. Note that they are quite different from pelargoniums (the tender bedding and pot ‘geraniums’), which are toxic to cats and dogs.

GardenAdvice tip

‘Patricia’ is a bold, generous cranesbill — vivid magenta-pink flowers with a striking black eye, going on for months. It’s vigorous and makes a substantial mound, so give it room and let it scramble among shrubs. It usually flowers on into autumn without much help; only chop it hard if it starts to sprawl and look tired in midsummer.

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