Perennial of the Month-- May 2003 
Perennial of the Month-- May 2003
(ger-aa' nee-um fay'um) (pronunciation at link, turn up volume if too low)
Common name: Mourning Widow Perennial Geranium
Family: Geranium, Geraniaceae
Height x width: 18-24" x 12-18"
Growth rate: moderate
Foliage: generally circular outline widely cut into 5-7 lobes,
lobes coarsely toothed, mature leaves to 5" across;
often purple at base or purple internodal blotches, otherwise mid-green;
mounded habit
Flowers: dark brown-maroon (RHS 79B), or dark chocolate purple; dark color of species in early summer (late May, early June in USDA zone 4) suggest a "mourning widow", pistil and stamens are exserted; 1-1½" wide with 5 petals, single on axillary peduncles; long bloom period; darkest of phaeum species and perhaps main attractive feature of this cultivar in this species
Hardiness: USDA zones 3-7
Soil: moist, organic and well-drained
Light: sun to part shade in cool climates, part shade in hot climates
Pests and problems: seldom-- leaf spots, rusts, powdery mildew, mosaic virus, Asiatic garden beetle, four-lined plant bug
Landscape habit, uses: borders, containers
Other interest: species native to moist mountain areas of S. and Cent. Europe, although thick roots allow survival in drought; genus name from Greek word for crane, referring to the resemblance of the beaked fruit to a crane's bill or beak; this cultivar a selection from Robin Parer at Geraniaceae nursery in Calif.
Other culture: especially in hot climates moist soil is needed
Propagation: tip cuttings, division, seeds
Sources: specialty perennial nurseries and plant-oriented garden
centers; Geraniaceae