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Plant of the month: Pelargonium peltatum
Plant of the month:
Every month we highlight a new plant (both exotics and indigenous species) and tell you about some of its qualities that we think make it a worthwhile garden specimen.
Pelargonium peltatum – ‘Ivy leafed pelargonium’
This climbing or sprawling, semi-succulent perennial, has long, straggling shoots, which can reach a height of 2 m. This plant is characterized by its ivy-shaped leaves and profuse clusters of flowers varying from mauve or pinkish mauve to pale pink or white. It flowers mainly in September to December.
This plant can be used in many ways. Plant it alongside trees or against a trellis, encouraging it to scramble up. Or plant it to cascade down terraced or retaining walls. It is also excellent as a container plant for hanging baskets, window boxes and planter troughs. The plant does well in shade and full sun, although it flowers more profusely in full sun. It also makes an excellent groundcover under larger trees. Dead flowers must be pinched off to promote more flowering and maintain a neat and tidy plant. In autumn, long and leggy stems should be cut back to the point where healthy green leaves remain on the plant. This pruning will allow your plant to grow and flower profusely.
There are now a number of cultivars available from retail nurseries that have stronger pink and red flowers and produce flowers for more of the summer season.