Pelargonium 'Cherry Baby' (Dec)

RHS Plant Profile
geranium 'Cherry Baby'
Shrubs

Self-branching tall, vigorous evergreen perennial with excellent habit and easy to grow. Cherry-red flowers with a white centre and dense foliage with serrated medium to pale green leaves.

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Chalk, Clay, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Loam Chalk Clay Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Neutral or Alkaline

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1C
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

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
Accepted
Horticultural Group
Decorative pelargoniums are medium-sized plants with rounded leaves and clusters of single flowers like those of Regals

How to Grow

Cultivation

Will grow well in a frost-free environment, in well-drained fertile neutral to alkaline soil, preferably in full sun but will tolerate some partial shade, in borders or containers. Irrigate moderately from spring to summer, and sparingly in winter allowing the compost to dry up between waterings. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season and switch to a high potassium fertilizer when flowering starts. Overwinter in containers before the first frost in autumn. See Pelargonium cultivation for further advice.

Propagation

Propagate from softwood cuttings from spring to autumn.

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Hanging Basket
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Low Maintenance

Pruning

Pinch back tips of shoots in spring or early summer and deadhead to promote flowering.

Pests

May be susceptible to Thrips, vine weevil, Leafhopper, Root mealybugs, Whitefly.

Diseases

May be susceptible to Pelargonium rust, Pelargonium virus, Leafy gall.