Geranium 'Rozanne'

Geranium 'Rozanne': Violet-Blue on Repeat All Summer

'Rozanne' is the houseguest who arrives early, stays all season and somehow you're SAD WHEN SHE LEAVES. Violet-blue flowers with white eyes, blooming like she forgot there's an off switch. And she never leaves seedlings behind.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Geranium hybrid (G. himalayense x G. wallichianum 'Buxton's Variety'), cultivar code 'Gerwat'
• Common Name: Cranesbill
• Height: 45–50 cm (18–20 in)
• Spread: 60–90 cm (2–3 ft)
• Flowers: Saucer-shaped, violet-blue with a white centre, about 6 cm (2.5 in) across
• Bloom Time: Early summer to early fall (June to September)
• Foliage: Deeply cut, slightly marbled green leaves that pick up reddish tones in fall
• Features: Very long bloom season, sterile so it won't self-seed, few pest or disease problems
• Plant Patent: USPP 12,175

Where to Plant: Let it weave through the front or middle of a border, where its long stems knit neighbours together and fill gaps left by early bloomers. It is lovely spilling over a wall, along a path or out of a large container.

Companion Plants: Violet 'Rozanne' and Rudbeckia 'Indian Summer' make a lovely pairing, with golden flowers from July to October rising just behind. Anemone 'Prince Henry' adds rose-pink flowers from August to October, keeping the bed fresh as the season cools. Plant Paeonia 'Duchesse de Nemours' at the back for big white peony blooms in May and June, before the geranium gets going. All four plants are happy in full sun or part sun.

Plant Care: Plant it in full sun to part sun, in moist, well-drained soil with some organic matter. It tolerates drier conditions once established, but flowers best with steady moisture. In hot, dry spots, afternoon shade helps. Give it room, because one plant can cover a surprising patch by midsummer. If it gets floppy or stops flowering, cut it back to about 8–10 cm (3–4 in) and it will regrow and bloom again. Cut it back in late fall or early spring. It seldom needs dividing.

History: 'Rozanne' turned up as a chance seedling around 1989 or 1990 in the Somerset, England garden of Donald and Rozanne Waterer, and Blooms of Bressingham launched it at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2000 after years of trials. It holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit and was the Perennial Plant Association's Perennial Plant of the Year for 2008.

Final Thoughts: Plant her once and you'll be shopping for a second by midsummer. The deer won't argue. THE GUEST ROOM IS HERS NOW.