Pelargonium ionidiflorum

RHS Plant Profile

celery-scented geranium

Bedding Conservatory Greenhouse Houseplants

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A bushy, somewhat spreading plant, to 50cm in height, with small, deeply-lobed, softly-hairy, celery-scented leaves. The flowers have red stems and narrow, rose-pink petals, and appear from mid-spring to mid-autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or East–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 (Cape)

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in full light with shade from hot sun and good ventilation. When in growth water moderately and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser in spring and early summer. A high potash fertiliser should be used when in flower. Water sparingly in winter. Can be grown outside in frost-free areas in a fertile soil. See also pelargonium cultivation

Propagation

Take softwood cuttings in spring or summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Deadhead regularly

Pests

Susceptible to vine weevil, caterpillars and thrips

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds when grown under glass