This group of perennial plants are upright shrubby to semi-scrambling with brittle woody stems. They have toothed mid green leaves that are creased and the trumpet-shaped flowers are white to pink and red-purple appearing in a cluster from spring to summer.

Hardiness zones 9 to 11

Pelargonium x domesticumis a large group of plants that originated from a cross between P. curcullatumand several other species including P. fulgidumand P. grandiflorum.

They grow in most well drained, moist fertile sandy to clay loams in a semi shaded to full sun protected position and are drought tolerant but frost tender.

Regal Geranium is grown for its flowers and shrubby habit. It is planted in small or cottage gardens along perennial borders for colour or used in rockeries. It establishes from cuttings in one season and is moderately long lived. It is also planted in window boxes, pots or tubs and is suitable for coastal regions tolerating salt laden winds. There are many colourful cultivars available and in cold climates, pelargonium`s are grown in a conservatory or small glasshouses. ID 40

Pelargonium(pe-lar-GON-ee-um) x domesticum (do-MES-ti-kum)

From Greek pelargos, "stork", referring to the shape of the fruit which is supposed to resemble the head of a stork; "domesticum", Latin word meaning "of the home".

Geraniaceae (jer-AN-ee-AY-see-ee)