Geranium psilostemon     Family: Geraniaceae
(jer-AY-nee-um sil-oh-STEM-on)

Common name: Armenian cranesbill
Zone: 4 – 9
Height: 30-36 in (75-90 cm)   Spread: 36 in (90 cm)
Aspect: full sun; partial shade
Soil: average; well-draining
Water: moderate

Description: An herbaceous perennial with a tall, upright habit. Dark green leaves have deep, broad divisions. Large, upright, shallow-cupped flowers in a dazzling magenta colour with a dark, almost black, eye at their centre and dark veining on the petals. Prolific blooming mid-spring through into autumn.

Special Notes: Native to northeastern Turkey and southwestern Caucasus, including Armenia, this geranium was once known as G. armenum.Newly emerging shoots are a distinct red colour, like rhubarb, in spring. Leaves have good autumn colour. Plant height is dependant on soil conditions. May need support either through staking or from propping up with adjoining plantings. Bloom time is extremely long. Very easy care. Relatively pest and disease free. Drought tolerant. Deer and rabbit resistant. Propagate by seed; division in spring or autumn.

RHS Award of Garden Merit 1993

In our Zone 7a garden: This is a very favourite geranium. We enjoy an extremely long bloom time…from the end of May / beginning of June into the middle of October, even without dead-heading, and this was in spite of only receiving 8mm of rain throughout August and September in 2012. (Okay…we admit we did splash some water around the garden during that period of minimal rain.)

Posted October 14, 2012; updated March 12, 2013