Geranium 'Album'

Geranium 'Album': A Whisper of White for Shade and Sun
Elegant and understated, Geranium 'Album' is a pure and peaceful form of the classic Geranium sanguineum, offering crisp white flowers that float above finely divided green foliage. Blooming from late spring into mid-summer—and often reblooming lightly in autumn—this compact, mounded perennial brings light and freshness to borders, slopes, and rock gardens. With its luminous blooms, drought tolerance, and glowing autumn foliage, it’s a subtle yet powerful addition to any sun or part-shade garden.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 25–30 cm
• Spread: 40–60 cm, forming a rounded, spreading clump
• Flower Colour: Pure white with delicate pale veins and a hint of pink in the centre
• Flowering Period: Late spring to midsummer; occasional repeat bloom in autumn
• Foliage: Deeply lobed, medium green leaves that turn red to crimson in autumn
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained, average to dry soil; tolerant of sandy or rocky conditions

Uses and Benefits: Geranium 'Album' excels in sunny or lightly shaded spots where gentle colour and strong groundcover are needed. Its refined white flowers brighten woodland edges, rock gardens, and mixed borders, while its neat, mounding habit helps suppress weeds and stabilize soil. The blooms attract bees and butterflies, and the foliage offers a fiery display in autumn. Deer-resistant, drought-tolerant, and easy to care for, it’s an excellent choice for naturalistic plantings and cottage gardens alike.

Companion Plants: Pair Geranium 'Album' with Brunnera 'Jack Frost', whose silver-veined foliage and soft blue flowers provide a dreamy contrast to the white blooms. Add Nepeta 'Cat’s Pajamas', whose compact form and lavender-blue flowers enhance the geranium’s gentle palette while attracting pollinators. Complete the look with Carex 'Ice Dance', whose variegated blades add texture and echo the crispness of Album’s petals in part-shade settings.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil. Water regularly during the first season; once established, the plant is drought-tolerant. Deadhead to encourage continued bloom, or shear back lightly after flowering for a tidier form. Divide every 3–5 years in spring or autumn to refresh clumps and manage spread.

History: A white-flowered selection of Geranium sanguineum, 'Album' brings the same rugged durability and extended season interest as its magenta-flowered parent. Native to Europe and western Asia, G. sanguineum has long been treasured for its adaptability and ornamental value. The 'Album' cultivar softens this wild beauty into a more refined, luminous presence for the cultivated garden.

Final Thoughts: Graceful, glowing, and delightfully easygoing, Geranium 'Album' offers a quiet contrast to bolder blooms while supporting pollinators and adding structure to the garden. From sun to part shade, it lights up the border with white blossoms in spring and red-tinged foliage in fall—a gentle yet resilient classic with year-round charm.