Geranium pratense Plenum Violaceum

The Geranium pratense 'Plenum Violaceum' is planted during spring or autumn. This variety, like all other perennial geraniums, is not demanding in terms of location and soil quality. Place it in a rather moist, humus-bearing, acidic or neutral soil; it tolerates limestone. The Geranium Pratense thrives in the sun, which promotes flowering, or in partial shade. To plant your young plant, work the soil in a 20 cm (8in) cube, crumbling it well and adding a bottom amendment such as dried blood or dehydrated horn. Position your plant, removed from its pot, covering the top of the root ball with 3 cm (1in) of soil. Fill in and water generously to remove air pockets. In dry weather, water regularly for a few weeks to facilitate root establishment. From August to September, remove faded flowers and leaves to encourage new flowers. If the cold hasn't caused the foliage to disappear, cut back large clumps every spring to keep them compact. You can also cut back after flowering and water well to encourage the plant to form a neat clump. Like all Geranium Pratense, the 'Plenum Violaceum' is a very tall geranium that tends to collapse. Place it near spring perennials that have finished flowering or between sturdy species that can support it.