Pelargonium capitatum

RHS Plant Profile
rose-scented geranium

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A bushy sub-shrub, to 60cm in height, with softly-hairy, rose-scented, lobed leaves and clusters of pink, white or pale purple flowers, 2-3cm across, in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1C

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Geraniaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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
South Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in neutral or alkaline, well-drained, moderately fertile soil in full sun. Deadhead regularly. Lift outdoor plants and keep in frost free well lit conditions over winter. See also pelargonium cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in spring, late summer and autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

Remove spent flowers and trim as required

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly, caterpillars, glasshouse leafhopper, aphids, vine weevil and root mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free