Pelargonium 'Royal Surprise' (R)

RHS Plant Profile
geranium 'Royal Surprise'
geranium 'Royal Surprise' RHS
Conservatory Greenhouse Houseplants

'Royal Surprise' is a bushy, evergreen perennial to 50cm tall with green, toothed and lobed leaves. Double flowers, borne in late spring and summer, have frilled pink petals with dark purple blotches

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
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1C

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
Regal pelargoniums are evergreen perennials or subshrubs, bushy in habit, with rounded, often lobed leaves and usually single flowers to 4cm across, borne in clusters in late spring and into summer, in shades of pink, red, orange and purple or white

How to Grow

Cultivation

Provide good light. Ensure well-draining compost, but do not allow to dry out completely. Avoid wetting flowers when watering. Feed through the growing season

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in spring or late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Mediterranean climate plants

Pruning

Cut back in early spring if plants become leggy. Deadhead spent blooms

Pests

May suffer from aphids in spring

Diseases

May suffer from grey moulds, Pelargonium rust and Pelargonium viruses