Geranium 'Orion' (Cranesbill)
Hardy Geranium 'Orion', Crane's Bill 'Orion'
Noted for its depth of color, size of bloom and length of 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 any of the hardy geraniums and rare blue-colored flowers, it is an ideal element of the perennial border and perfect groundcover 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 rabbits 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
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Requirements
Hardiness | 4
– 8 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 8 |
Climate Zones | 2B, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Geranium - Cranesbills |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) |
Height | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spacing | 36" (90cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Plant of Merit, Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Rabbit |
Attracts | Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |
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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 4
– 8 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 8 |
Climate Zones | 2B, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Geranium - Cranesbills |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) |
Height | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spacing | 36" (90cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Plant of Merit, Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Rabbit |
Attracts | Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |