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Geranium, Genus, 'Patricia', Cultivar,

Genus
Cultivar

patricia geranium

Geraniaceae

Garden hybrid (G. endressii × G. psilostemon); bred Alan Bremner, Orkney, Scotland

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 5–8

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

Separated from 'Ann Folkard' and 'Anne Thomson' by the upright clumping (versus scrambling) habit and the plain medium-green (versus chartreuse-yellow) spring foliage. Separated from G. psilostemon (one parent) by the extended bloom season (June–October versus the narrower June–July window of the parent) and the more compact overall size. Separated from G. endressii (the other parent) by the larger flowers and the prominent black center that endressii lacks. An upright non-scrambling cranesbill with magenta-pink-with-black-center flowers blooming continuously from June through October identifies this cultivar.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 2'6"

Width/Spread2' - 2'6"

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~17 weeks

Flowers: June–October

Summer Fall

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 veining

Foliage Description

Medium green, deeply palmately divided

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

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

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5 (Neutral to alkaline)

3579

Soil Types

loam clay sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

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

Prune: March

early spring