Pelargonium triste
night-scented geranium
A tuberous perennial with finely divided, trailing green leaves covered with fine silvery hairs. Clusters of small, night-scented flowers, with pale yellow or pale pink petals with dark red markings, are held on tall stems in late spring and early summer
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Yellow Pink | Green Grey Silver | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Yellow Pink | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | Green Grey Silver | |||
| Winter | Green Grey Silver |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1CBotanical details
- Family
- Geraniaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Habit
- Trailing
- 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
- South Africa (Cape)
How to grow
Cultivation
Thrives in sandy, well-drained soils in a sunny or lightly shaded spot. Grow under glass, or in containers and overwinter indoors. Plants may be summer dormant in warmer regions; keep almost dry when not in growth to prevent rotting
Propagation
Propagate by seed, by softwood cuttings, or by division of tubers when plants are dormant
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to root mealybugs, thrips, fungus gnats and glasshouse whitefly
Diseases
Generally disease-free, though prone to rot in poor drainage
Get involved
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