Black-eyed geranium, small-stamened or Armenian

Family Geraniaceae. Native range: the Turkish-Armenian highlands. In moist birch groves, near tall shrubs at altitudes above 2000 m.

Perennial plant. A bright, striking plant, the best ornament of the subalpine meadows of the Caucasus. A thick short rhizome is located at a depth of 5-15 cm. Basal leaves are five-lobed, up to 20 cm wide, toothed, on long petioles up to 30 cm. They appear at the end of April, and in September they turn red and die back. The whole plant is covered with hairs. Stem 50-70 cm high, erect, branched, hairy. Flowers are bright raspberry with a black eye, 4-5 cm in diameter. Blooms together with other geraniums from mid-June for 30-45 days, and sets fruit abundantly.

Seeds ripen in July-August. Can produce abundant self-seeding. Large clumps of this geranium up to 60 cm high can grow without transplantation for up to 15 years. They adorn sunny flower beds from spring to autumn. Propagated by seed (sown in autumn) and by dividing the clump in spring and late summer. Grows well on rich, deep soils with sufficient moisture. Sun-loving.