Pelargonium 'Imperial Butterfly' (A/Sc)

RHS Plant Profile
geranium 'Imperial Butterfly'
Award of Garden Merit
Conservatory Greenhouse Bedding

A very floriferous, compact cultivar with viola-shaped, large white flowers. The upper petals are centrally blotched and veined in pinkish-purple. Its lemon-scented leaves are an additional feature

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam

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
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
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
Accepted
Horticultural Group
Angel pelargoniums are compact, bushy perennials with small, rounded leaves, sometimes scented, and clusters of small single flowers in shades of pink, red purple or white

How to Grow

Cultivation

Best grown in pots. May be grown outdoors once risk of frost is passed. Feed in summer with high potash fertiliser to encourage flowering. See pelargonium cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in spring or summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

Deadhead regularly to encourage more flowers. Cut back in autumn if overwintering old plants

Pests

Generally pest-free, but may be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free, but may be susceptible to pelargonium rust and pelargonium viruses