Pelargonium ionidiflorum

The Pelargonium ionidiflorum is a highly floriferous botanical species, with a spreading habit, affectionately known by some as "Fairy Cascades" due to its propensity to form highly blooming cascades for long weeks. Its flowers are delicate, a rather bright pink, borne in small, airy umbels above beautiful emerald green lobed foliage. When crushed, it releases a slight scent reminiscent of coriander or parsley. It is mainly cultivated for its beauty. Capable of withstanding -6°C (21.2°F), this South African geranium adapts well to coastal areas, including dry climates. Elsewhere, it should be protected from the cold during winter.

The Pelargonium ionidiflorum belongs to the geranium family, like all geraniums and pelargoniums. Its natural distribution area is very limited, located in an inland region of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. This region, known as Karoo, experiences high summer temperatures with rare rainfall and winter temperatures that drop below 0°C (32°F). It is a perennial undershrub that reaches a height of 35-40 cm (14-16in). Its stems root at the nodes when touching the ground, allowing it to spread. Mature stems have a slightly corky bark, while young stems are green and slender. The foliage remains evergreen in winter. It consists of soft, green, lobed leaves, measuring 2.5 to 6 cm (1 to 2in) in length. The leaf blade is covered with white glandular hairs that secrete an aromatic essential oil. Flowering occurs from May-June to October in our climates. It takes the form of umbels borne at the ends of branches. These beautiful small flowers have 5 petals, a fairly vivid purplish pink, with the upper 2 petals having darker pink markings. The Pelargonium ionidiflorum thrives in full sun or light shade, in well-drained soil. This species can live for many years if the growing conditions are satisfactory.

The Pelargonium ionidiflorum is ideal for dry gardens or coastal areas. It can be used in rockeries, borders, as ground cover, to add a beautiful touch of colour. In this setting, it can be paired with oregano, thyme, dwarf mugwort, creeping baby's breath, etc. It also excels in containers, pots, or hanging baskets. Its long flowering period attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects. Depending on the gardener's preference, this pelargonium can be combined with ivy geraniums in various colours, verbenas, lobelias with extraordinary blues, Million Bells, Madagascar periwinkles, Dichondra Silver Falls, or even diascias, for example.