Geranium Patricia

Growing the hardy Geranium Patricia in the back garden of our new Fife home has given rather surprising results.

The picture above of the Geranium Patricia was taken on the first of October.

What has really surprised me is the very long flowering period, we have had this plant in our other gardens and flowering ended in late August. Have you had Patricia still blooming in October?

By no stretch of the imagination can I claim that it has been the result of a glorious Summer, in fact, it has been cool, windy and wet, with a pleasant day now and again.

Enough of the moaning, especially when I consider what people have had to endure across the Atlantic.

 Geranium Patricia in our garden

This hardy Geranium has been in flower since the third week of June and is still looking pretty good in October.

Other perennials planted in early Spring have behaved in a similar way.

The annual plants, such as Begonia, Dahlia and Lobelia will have to reluctantly be removed to make way for Spring flowering bulbs.

Perhaps the good results are all to do with the quality of the topsoil placed by the builders, although, with new build houses they are not normally very fussy regarding this.

Anyway, I did dig it over in early April adding plenty good quality garden compost.

I planted three of the Geranium Patricia in the back garden. The habit has been good and support for the plants have not been necessary.  The Persicaria to the right has also been non-stop.

Details

The numerous flowers are a magenta pink with a black centre, and are held above the mound of large deeply cut mid-green leaves.

Patricia received the RHS award of garden merit in 2005. Bred in the Orkney islands by Alan Bremner in 1992. Crossed with, (Geranium endressii x Geranium psilostemon) 

Height — between 60/75cm – 70cm in our garden (sunny spot)

Hardiness — fully hardy perennial – Orkney breeding is a clue

Position — full sun/partial shade

Soil — any reasonable garden soil on the moist side – neutral to acidic

Propagation — lift and divide in early Spring

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Footnote

Had I done a little research before starting this post I would have discovered that the long flowering period of Patricia is well documented.

   However I am an amateur gardener, and yes I normally carry out a little research for the more technical details which I require. However, the main purpose of my plant profiles is directed to those who have just caught the gardening bug, simply to give some indication as to how plants perform for the everyday gardener like myself.  My day is made when a visitor to my blog finds the tiniest inspiration which makes them want to continue gardening.   

After two years my A to Z list of plants is now complete. It will continue to be extended with new posts for as long as I am able to do so.

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