Geranium 'Boom Chocolatta'

Geranium 'Boom Chocolatta': Bold Foliage, Electric Bloom
Vibrant, vigorous, and undeniably eye-catching, Geranium 'Boom Chocolatta' offers a striking combination of rich, chocolate-bronze foliage and a profusion of violet-blue flowers that bloom from late spring through midsummer. Bred for bold contrast and garden performance, this hardy cranesbill forms a large, billowy mound that adds both structure and saturated colour to borders and pollinator plantings. With its long bloom time and dramatic presence, Boom Chocolatta lives up to its name—bringing a touch of garden drama with none of the fuss.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 60–75 cm
• Spread: 75–90 cm, forming a broad, mounded clump
• Flower Colour: Bright violet-blue with fine veining and a white centre
• Flowering Period: Late spring to midsummer
• Foliage: Deeply cut, dark bronze to chocolate-purple foliage with a glossy sheen
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil; tolerant of a range of soil types once established

Uses and Benefits: Geranium 'Boom Chocolatta' is a statement perennial for mixed borders, cottage gardens, and wildlife-friendly landscapes. Its large, airy form and vivid flowers attract bees and butterflies, while the dark foliage adds season-long interest—even after flowering has ended. Use it as a filler between upright or spiked plants, or as a bold backdrop for lower-growing groundcovers. It’s deer- and rabbit-resistant, low-maintenance, and long-lived.

Companion Plants: Pair Boom Chocolatta with Salvia 'Bumbleberry', whose rich pink-purple blooms echo and intensify the geranium’s flower colour while offering upright contrast. Add Achillea 'Sassy Summer Taffy', whose coral-pink umbels and ferny foliage soften the composition and extend the summer bloom season. Round out the planting with Heuchera 'Lime Marmalade', whose neon-green leaves brighten the base and set off the dark tones of the geranium’s foliage.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun to partial shade with moist, well-drained soil. Water during the first season to establish; after that, Boom Chocolatta is fairly drought-tolerant. Deadhead to extend bloom and cut back after flowering to encourage fresh foliage. Divide every 3–4 years in early spring or fall to maintain vigour.

History: Geranium 'Boom Chocolatta' is a modern cultivar derived from Geranium pratense and related species, selected for its unique foliage colour, large habit, and prolific flowering. It represents a leap forward in ornamental geranium breeding, combining the hardiness and ecological value of cranesbills with dramatic visual flair and strong garden performance.

Final Thoughts: Bold in both bloom and leaf, Geranium 'Boom Chocolatta' is a standout perennial that brings rich texture, saturated colour, and wildlife appeal to sunny borders and mixed plantings. With its moody foliage and electric flowers, it’s the perfect choice for gardeners who want their plantings to pop—with personality and pollinators included.