About 15 species belonging to the genus Geranium grow naturally in Poland. Garden varieties of geraniums are valued for their decorative foliage and abundant flowering.These are mostly perennials that quite quickly overgrow their beds or rebates.
Many of the available varieties are perfect not only for growing in home gardens, but also in urban flower beds, in estate greenery, as well as as undergrowth in bright city parks. One of the most interesting species used as a ground cover and turf plant is the Cantabrian "Cambridge", a species obtained from crossing the Geranium dalmaticum with Geranium macrorhizum.
Cantabrian geranium 'Cambridge' is a low perennial with a broad tufted habit, growing up to 30 cm and forming dense covers of light green leaves. Plants grow sideways with short underground runners.Leaf blades, round in outline and deeply indented, with 5-7 flaps, are set on long hairy petioles growing from rosettes located close to the ground.The leaves on the top are covered with a delicate cutter, on the underside they are matte, aromatic. In autumn they change color beautifully to warm colors of red, orange and purple.
From June to July, densely hairy inflorescence shoots grow between the leaves, branching at the height of the leaves and extending above them from a few to a dozen flower buds. Pink flowers develop from them, consisting of 5 relatively large, round and overlapping petals, five stamens and a long pistil.During flowering, the geraniums attract butterflies and other pollinating insects. After flowering, the petals of the crown fall, but remain decorative, fused together in the shape of a ribbed barrel, the sepals, protecting the part of the flower where the seeds are formed.
How to cultivate and where to plant?
Cantabrian geranium 'Cambridge' is a perennial that is easy to grow, undemanding, he althy, resistant to frost and short periods of drought.It grows well in sunny or slightly shaded positions, on average, moist but well-drained soils.
The plant looks most beautiful in groups, then 3 to 7 pieces are planted per 1 m².Suitable for turfing the soil under luminous tree crowns, planting along paths and walking alleys, creating floral carpets and flower beds both in home gardens, as well as in urban or housing estate greenery.
