Pelargonium acetosum
sorrel cranesbill
P. acetosum is an upright, evergreen perennial, up to 60cm tall, with succulent stems bearing fleshy, grey-green leaves. From spring to summer bears sparse clusters of star-shaped, salmon-pink flowers with long, narrow petals
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Pink | Green Grey Silver | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | Green Grey Silver | |||
| Winter | Green Grey Silver |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1CBotanical details
- Family
- Geraniaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Pelargonium can be perennials, sub-shrubs or shrubs, sometimes succulent and mostly evergreen, with palmately lobed or pinnately divided leaves and clusters of slightly irregular, 5-petalled flowers
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Temp S Africa
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. To overwinter, grow small plants in late summer from cuttings or cut back old plants by one third and lift for storage in a frost-free place, repotting in spring when growth resumes
Propagation
Take softwood cuttings in summer and overwinter plants in frost free conditions or take softwood cuttings in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Patio and container plants
- Cottage and informal garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Deadhead regularly
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse leafhopper, vine weevil, caterpillars, thrips, and fungus gnats. Aphids can also be problematic, generally more so on over-wintered plants
Diseases
May be susceptible to foot and root rots in wet soils and by grey moulds in humid conditions. Pelargonium viruses can also be a problem, particularly if plants are maintained by cuttings
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