Georgian Geranium

Family Geraniaceae. It grows on the subalpine and alpine meadows of the Caucasus and is considered one of the most beautiful geraniums.

It is distinguished not only by its beauty, but also by longevity, resistance to diseases, hardiness and undemanding cultivation requirements. Georgian geranium is a perennial plant. Without division or transplanting it can grow in the same place for 10–12 years, forming a robust bush 60–80 cm tall. The rhizome is short, thick, oblique, and is located in the soil at a depth of 5–15 cm. In spring at the beginning of May rounded basal leaves appear on long, up to 20 cm, pubescent petioles. In outline the leaves are 5–7-lobed, rounded, two-thirds divided, rhombic, with toothed margins. The color of the leaves is greenish-blue due to the pubescence. In autumn they turn red and die back when frosts begin in October–November. The flowers are up to 4.5 cm in diameter, violet with purple veins, and are arranged in an umbel-like inflorescence. The petals are wedge-shaped and emarginate. Flowering in Central Russia begins in mid-June and lasts about 40 days. Flowering is abundant. At that time the geranium bush turns into a bouquet of magnificent bright violet flowers against the backdrop of bluish leaves. And such flowering occurs every year regardless of weather conditions. Numerous seeds ripen in July, but collecting them is difficult because the fruits crack open quickly and release the seeds.

In cultivation Georgian geranium is grown in sunny locations with fertile soil. It is used for solitary plantings within lawns and in mixed flower beds. It is propagated by seeds (sown in late autumn for overwintering) and by division of the clump (in spring or late summer). The rhizome contains black-colored dye substances.