Geranium cantabrigiense Intense

Geranium x cantabrigiense 'Intense' is a new cultivar that lives up to its name with its particularly intense pink flowering. This small cushion-shaped plant offers generous flowering from late spring until September, consisting of a profusion of delicate and elegant flowers perched on slender stems. The dense and low-growing vegetation spreads moderately through rhizomes. The cut and aromatic foliage, more or less evergreen in winter, takes on reddish tones in cold weather. A hardy, robust, and undemanding geranium, ideal for border planting, ground cover, or in pots on the terrace.

Geranium x cantabrigiense 'Intense' belongs to the Geraniaceae family. It is a Dutch cultivar of the natural hybrid Geranium x cantabrigiense, which itself originates from the Geranium dalmaticum native to the Balkan coasts, and Geranium macrorrhizum. 'Intense' is a herbaceous perennial plant that forms a 25 cm (10in) high cushion and spreads through stolons over a width of 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20in). Its growth is quite slow. Flowering begins in May-June, depending on the climate, and continues until August-September. The flowers of this variety are almost magenta pink, adorned with long stamens of the same incandescent pink colour, with a lighter base. The foliage, dense and aromatic, is composed of small round and palmate leaves. It persists if the winter is not too harsh. Its colour is a beautiful bright light green during the season. It takes on reddish tones in autumn and winter. This perennial geranium appreciates a humus-rich soil, not too dry but well-drained.

Geranium x cantabrigiense 'Intense' makes excellent ground cover, with great robustness, suitable for any soil, in full sun or partial shade. It will quickly add a colourful touch to flowerbeds and elegantly highlight the curve of a pathway. It will be welcome at the base of your precious plants, since it will enhance rather than suffocate them with its frothy foliage. It will easily find a place on balconies, terraces, in planters, borders, rockeries, and flowerbeds, where it will be a faithful companion to columbines, peonies, and bellflowers. Its association with gauras, which have delicate flowers, is also very interesting. Plant it early in spring. Water regularly to help the plants establish. Removing faded flowers can promote reblooming. Clumps can be divided every three years, also in spring. This easy-to-grow plant requires little maintenance.