Geranium ‘Orion’ (Cranesbill)

Noted for its depth of color, size of bloom, and length of the flowering season, award-winning Geranium ‘Orion’ is a spreading perennial with masses of very large, 2 in. across (5 cm), cup-shaped, vibrant mauve-blue flowers with a small white eye. Each of the overlapping, almost round petals is veined in iridescent purple. The blossoms are held on slender stems high above the foliage of deeply lobed mid-green basal leaves. Robust and vigorous, with one of the longest flowering periods of hardy geraniums and rare blue-colored flowers, it is an ideal element of the perennial border and perfect ground cover under lightly shaded trees and shrubs.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
• A prolific bloomer, this hardy geranium blooms for months from late spring to late summer.
• Grows up to 24-30 in. tall (60-75 cm) and 24-36 in. wide (60-90 cm).  Will need support for the first couple of seasons until clumps become more self-supporting.
• Performs best in full sun or part shade in moderately fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Full sun in mild summer gardens, morning sun, and afternoon shade in hot summers. Though it prefers moist, well-drained soil, it will also tolerate periods of drought once established. Deer and rabbit resistant.
• Great for beds and borders, underplanting shrubs and roses, excellent ground cover, and lovely addition to cottage gardens.
• Requires very little maintenance and is generally not subject to serious pest or disease issues. May be occasionally affected by vine weevil, capsid bug, sawflies, and powdery mildews.
• Remove flowered stems and old leaves to encourage the production of fresh leaves and flowers.
• Propagate by division between early autumn and early spring or cut back plants after flowering in summer, then divide, replant, and water well.