Pelargonium 'Black Knight' Lea (Dw/d/C)

RHS Plant Profile
geranium 'Black Knight' Lea
Shrubs

An Angel Pelargonium, small and compact, bushy, evergreen, tender perennial with small round leaves and pansy-like five-petalled flowers in summer. Flowers are dark purple with a pale pink edge and a white throat. Very floriferous and will require minimal frost free care in winter.

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Sand, Loam, Chalk, Clay

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

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

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–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
Dwarf pelargoniums are compact Zonal types, a little larger than Miniatures, and growing to 20cm, with single or more typically double flowers; well suited to containers

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 by seed in late winter and from softwood cuttings from spring to autumn.

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Hanging Basket
  • Patio and container plants
  • Low Maintenance
  • Bedding
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pinch back tips of shoots in spring or early summer and deadhead to promote flowering. If overwintering, cut back hard in autumn or spring.

Pests

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

Diseases

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