Geranium sessiliflorum Nigricans

The Perennial Geranium with Sessile Leaves Nigricans, which comes from the alpine meadows of New Zealand, is a truly unique species that will delight collectors and enthusiasts of rock plants. It spreads on the ground a small dome of round and cut leaves in shades of brown to bronze, sometimes orange, and is adorned from June to September with tiny white flowers without peduncles. Hardy and adaptable, it thrives in well-drained and sunny soils, not too dry in summer. 

The Geranium sessiliflorum subsp. novae-zelandiae Nigricans belongs to the Geraniaceae family. This rare form of Geranium sessiliflorum is a small, perennial and hardy plant, with slow growth, native to the high mountain prairies of New Zealand, which often and faithfully self-seeds in fresh and light soils.

This geranium slowly forms rosettes of foliage only 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6in) tall, spreading up to 30 cm (12in) or more under optimal conditions. It has a compact, dense and low growth, which persists in winter. It displays numerous flowers between June and September, shaped like small open funnels, in a slightly grayish white color. Its leaves have a very soft appearance, slightly hairy, rounded and lightly cut, with visible veins and five lobes. Their color is beautiful, in shades of light brown, blackish olive green, bronze and orange.

This perennial geranium forms beautiful small spots of light and shadow, quite unusual in fresh and sunny rock gardens. It will thrive particularly well in alpine rock gardens or gravel beds. It can also be grown in pots on the terrace or balcony. It is a good companion for liverworts, corydalis, Alyssum, Artemisia schmidtiana 'Nana', or the mountainous geranium cinereum. It can also be associated with Gypsophila 'Rosenschleier', small periwinkles, or Ceratostigma plumbaginoides.