Geranium cinereum v. subcaulescens

Geranium cinereum v. subcaulescens spreads its soft, dark green, matte and ashy foliage under a profusion of vibrant magenta-red flowers contrasting with a black centre. It blooms during beautiful spring days and then accompanies the return of September rains in a fanfare. It enjoys a sunny exposure, with its roots anchored between the stones of the rockery, or on inhospitable embankments, and in poor soils.

This evergreen geranium is a member of the Geraniaceae family, native to herbaceous rockeries in the mountains of southern Europe to the Balkans. It is an herbaceous perennial plant with a woody stump forming a cushion 15 to 20cm (6 to 8in) in height and a minimum diameter of 20cm (8in). Its growth rate is quite rapid, reaching its full development in two or three years. The foliage is arranged in a rosette. It consists of leaves measuring 5 to 7cm (2 to 3in) in diameter, almost without a stem. They are deeply lobed and divided, pubescent, dark green with grey reflections, and soft to the touch. The flowering occurs for the first time in spring, in the form of 2 to 3cm (1in) diameter open cups, darker than the type. They are magenta pink-red, around a black centre. The flowers are grouped in clusters of 2 or 3, carried above the foliage by 20cm (8in) stems. After a summer rest period, the plant generally blooms again in September-October. This geranium spreads slowly, without ever becoming invasive.

It will find its place in rockeries, at the forefront of perennial beds, and in sunny borders. It will have a beautiful effect in a well-drained planter. It pairs well with plants with similar needs such as Geranium renardii, G. dalmaticum, iberis, limonium, whorled asters, and coreopsis. It is an ideal perennial for mountain gardens.