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Geranium 'Patricia'
Patricia Geranium
Garden hybrid (G. endressii × G. psilostemon); bred Alan Bremner, Orkney, Scotland
Overview
Geranium 'Patricia' is an upright clumping deciduous perennial reaching 24–30 inches (60–75 cm) tall with a spread of 24–30 inches (60–75 cm). The cultivar is a hybrid of G. endressii × G. psilostemon that combines the extended bloom season inherited from G. endressii with the vivid magenta-pink petal color and prominent black flower-center inherited from G. psilostemon. Unlike the scrambling 'Ann Folkard' and 'Anne Thomson' hybrids, 'Patricia' holds an upright clumping habit without sending out long horizontal stems. Flowers measure 1.5 inches (4 cm) across, bright magenta-pink with a prominent dark black-purple center and dark veining radiating outward across each petal. Bloom is continuous from June through October across a 16–18 week window that runs among the heaviest-blooming upright cranesbills in cultivation. Foliage is deeply palmately divided, medium green, carrying through the growing season without the chartreuse coloration that marks the 'Ann Folkard' group. Growth rate is moderate, and the cultivar fills its mature footprint within 1–2 seasons from nursery stock. Hardy to zone 5.
Native Range
Geranium 'Patricia' is a garden hybrid of G. endressii × G. psilostemon, bred by Alan Bremner of Orkney, Scotland. Bremner is a prolific hybridizer of hardy geraniums and has introduced numerous cultivars to horticultural commerce through selective crossing of Geranium species; 'Patricia' is among his widely distributed introductions.Suggested Uses
Planted in mixed borders at 24–30 inch (60–75 cm) spacing. The upright non-scrambling habit suits more formal border plantings where the scrambling 'Ann Folkard' group would sprawl too widely and disrupt a tidy planting scheme. The continuous magenta-plus-black bloom from June through October is the primary ornamental feature and covers the mid-summer-to-fall period when many spring-flowering perennials have finished. Functions well in mid-border positions between shorter front-of-border perennials and taller back-of-border grasses or shrubs. Paired with silver-foliaged (Artemisia, Stachys byzantina), white-flowered, or blue-flowered companions (Salvia nemorosa, Nepeta), the magenta-with-black combination carries strong visual impact. Deep shade (reduced bloom) and waterlogged soils are poor fits for the cultivar.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 2'6"
Width/Spread2' - 2'6"
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Saucer-shaped flowers 1.5 inches (4 cm) across, bright magenta-pink with a dark black-purple center and dark veining, open continuously from June through October. Bloom duration is 16–18 weeks. Individual flowers last 3–5 days; new flowers open continuously along the stems so the overall display runs unbroken from early summer through the first hard fall frost.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Bright magenta-pink with dark black-purple center and dark veiningFoliage Description
Medium green, deeply palmately dividedGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Full sun to partial shade in average well-drained soil suits the cultivar. Hardy to zone 5 (−20°F / −29°C). The upright habit is self-supporting through the full season and does not require staking, which separates 'Patricia' from taller weaker-stemmed cranesbills that need external support in exposed garden positions. A range of soil types is tolerated from loam through clay to sand. Cutting back of old growth is done in late fall or early spring. Pest and disease problems are not significant in most temperate gardens.Pruning
All growth is cut to the ground in late fall or early spring. Midsummer cutback is not needed; the continuous bloom habit and self-supporting upright form keep the cultivar visually presentable through the full growing season without intervention.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring
Maintenance Level
lowContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons