Geranium wallichianum Kelly-Anne

The perennial Geranium Kelly-Anne is on its way to becoming the standard in pink, like Rozanne in the blue category, because this variety is undoubtedly the most floriferous in recent years, and one of the easiest to succeed with. With beautiful vegetation, 'Kelly-Anne' tirelessly produces, for many months, large bicoloured flowers, very bright, of a pure and vibrant pink veined with purple, illuminated by a white centre. The plant, which does not sucker, forms a lush carpet of leaves that spreads more or less as ground cover in sunny borders or even in partially shaded areas of the garden. Versatile and undemanding, it does not disappoint in pots or hanging baskets, where it makes beautiful decorations for the terrace or balcony.

Geranium Kelly-Anne belongs to the Geraniaceae family. It is a perennial herbaceous plant with non-suckering roots, whose vegetation persists or disappears more or less in winter depending on the climate. It is probably derived from Geranium wallichianum.  'Kelly-Anne' has the same characteristics as Rozanne in terms of vegetation and floral abundance, and its flowers are the same size. It has a creeping habit, with the plant spreading to form semi-bushy mats of 30-40 cm (12-16in) in height and at least 50 cm (20in) in width, with the clump sometimes reaching 1 m (3ft) in diameter. It produces pink flowers with a white centre, approximately 5 cm (2in) in diameter, from late spring to autumn, without interruption. Its stems, which elongate more or less on the ground without rooting, bear large, highly ornamental leaves, finely cut, apple green in colour, slightly maculated with dark green at the centre. They sometimes turn beautiful shades of red to purple in autumn. 

Why deprive oneself of a ground cover plant with so many qualities? This perennial geranium Kelly-Anne grows enthusiastically in the sun, but tolerates shade very well. In partial shade it intensifies the beautiful pink hue of its flowers. Hardy, it can withstand cold, and even wet weather, down to -20 °C. Heavy soils and excess water do not scare it, nor do rather mediocre and alkaline soils, although it prefers light, fresh, humus-rich soils. This plant will settle permanently on a not too dry slope or border, or by a path, in the company of easy and trouble-free perennials such as alchemilla mollis, Nepeta 'Six Hill Giant', heucheras and of course geranium Rozanne. It is very useful for filling the base of old shrub roses, to which it will bring summer interest. Its pretty pink and white flowers are magnificent next to the purple foliage of certain elderberries (Black Lace) or Physocarpus Midnight.