Herb-Robert

Family: Geraniaceae. An annual geranium, often encountered in broadleaf forests of Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.

From a thin root arise rhombic-shaped, deeply divided, five-part leaves. The stem is hairy, erect, 20-30 cm high, branched, with one pale pink flower on each flowering stem. The flower is small, about 2 cm in diameter, with rounded petals. The plant has a sharp scent that gives stands of Herb-Robert a somewhat southern character. Herb-Robert blooms for a long time, throughout June–July. Seeds ripen in late July–August. They fall off and ensure abundant self-seeding the following year.

This is the only annual geranium that gardeners recommend for cultivation. There is a reason for that: firstly, its little bush is very graceful. The light-green, deeply cut leaves combined with numerous small pink flowers on long stems give the plant a lace-like, airy appearance. Secondly, the leaves are attractive in autumn as well, when they acquire a delicate pink-orange coloration. The plant produces abundant self-seeding. This ensures plentiful annual flowering. It is only necessary to choose the planting site correctly. Herb-Robert is a plant for mixed flower borders located in the shade of trees, on forest edges, and created in the style of naturalistic gardens. In these, individual woodland ornamental herbs are planted in an artful disorder and spread freely, which gives such flower beds distinctiveness and uniqueness.