Geranium psilostemon

Geranium psilostemon, commonly called Armenian cranesbill, is a species of hardy flowering herbaceous perennial plant in the genus Geranium, family Geraniaceae.[1] It is native to Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the Russian Federation. Forming a large clump to 120 cm (47 in) tall, it has glowing reddish purple colored flowers with prominent dark centres, and divided leaves tinted red in Autumn. It is cultivated as a garden subject, and a number of different cultivars exist.[2] G. psilostemon has the UK’s hardiest rating, surviving temperatures as low as −20 °C (−4 °F).[3]

Geranium psilostemon
The cultivar 'Bressingham Flair'
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Geraniales
Family:	Geraniaceae
Genus:	Geranium
Species:	G. psilostemon
Binomial name
Geranium psilostemon Ledeb.
Synonyms
Geranium armenum Boiss

The Latin specific epithet psilostemon means "with smooth stamens".[4]

Like other geranium species, G. psilostemon is useful as underplanting for larger shrubs such as roses. It has earned the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[3][5] The cultivar 'Ivan' has also received the award.[6]

References

1. "Geranium psilostemon". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 19 January 2018.
2. Phillips, Ellen; Colston Burrell, C. (1993), Rodale's illustrated encyclopedia of perennials, Emmaus, Pa.: Rodale Press, pp. 373–76, ISBN 0875965709
3. "RHS Plant Selector - Geranium psilostemon". Retrieved 23 February 2020.
4. Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.
5. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 43. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
6. "Geranium 'Ivan'". RHS. Retrieved 18 February 2020.