Pelargonium 'Scarlet Pet' (U)

RHS Plant Profile
geranium 'Scarlet Pet'
Award of Garden Merit
Shrubs Conservatory Greenhouse

A scented-leaf pelargonium with deeply serrated, aromatic, slightly resinous leaves. In summer and autumn it bears clusters of bright red flowers. This small evergreen perennial has a shrubby and scrambling habit

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

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

Position

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

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
Unresolved
Horticultural Group
Unique pelargoniums are shrubby perennials with often pungently scented, rounded, lobed or more deeply cut foliage and clusters of single, funnel-shaped white, pink, red, orange or purple flowers to 3cm across

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile well-drained soil in full sun. In containers use a moisture-retentive compost. Feed fortnightly through the growing season with a balanced fertiliser. Remove spent flowers. To overwinter, grow plants from cuttings in late summer and keep at a minimum of 5°C. See Pelargonium cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in spring and summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Hanging Basket
  • Houseplants
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Patio and container plants
  • Low Maintenance
  • Bedding
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

Deadhead regularly

Diseases

May be susceptible to pelargonium viruses, also grey moulds in wet conditions