Geranium 'Cambridge'

Geranium 'Cambridge': Magenta Wall-to-Wall Carpeting

'Cambridge' has a fancy name and the manners to match, but don't be fooled. Bright magenta-pink flowers over scented leaves, and the deer and rabbits get politely shown the door. EDUCATED. TIDY. A LITTLE BIT RUTHLESS.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Geranium × cantabrigiense 'Cambridge'
• Common Name: Cranesbill, Hardy Geranium
• Height: 15–25 cm (6–10 in)
• Spread: 45–60 cm (18–24 in)
• Flowers: Bright magenta-pink, in small clusters just above the leaves
• Bloom Time: Late spring to midsummer (May to July), often with a few later flowers
• Foliage: Aromatic, rounded, lobed green leaves that take on red tints in fall. Nearly evergreen.
• Features: Rabbit resistant

Where to Plant: Use it to edge a path, front a border, soften the edge of a wall, or fill gaps in a bed, where it knits into a dense mat that keeps weeds down. It handles dry light shade under trees and takes our winters in stride.

Companion Plants: Solidago ptarmicoides brings white flower heads from July to September, adding a cool middle layer behind the magenta geranium. Kalimeris 'Blue Star' adds blue daisies from June to September. Edge the front with Aubrieta 'Rock On Blue' for blue spring flowers from April to June, right before the geranium opens. The group is happy in sun or part sun.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun to part sun, in average, well-drained soil. In hot, dry spots, a little afternoon shade helps the leaves look fresh. Water through the first season. Once established, water only during long dry spells. Shear lightly after the main bloom to tidy it and encourage a few more flowers. Divide in spring or early fall if you want more plants or it spreads further than you'd like.

History: Geranium × cantabrigiense is a hybrid of Geranium macrorrhizum and Geranium dalmaticum, made in 1974 by Dr. Peter Yeo at Cambridge University Botanic Garden and named after Cambridge, whose Latin name is Cantabrigia. The same hybrid has also turned up naturally in the wild, in the Balkans.

Final Thoughts: Line it along a path and let it handle the front edge like a strict librarian. Dry spells don't rattle it. SHHH. IT'S BLOOMING.