Pelargonium tetragonum
Pelargonium tetragonum
Pelargonium tetragonum
Pelargonium tetragonum
Square-stalked geranium, Square-stack cranesbill
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Description
Pelargonium tetragonum, also known as the square-stalked geranium, is a botanical species that is rare in cultivation. It grows in very dry environments in South Africa. This perennial plant is a beautiful curiosity. It produces succulent, jointed, angular stems that trail on the ground or support themselves on neighbouring plants in nature. Its foliage is aromatic. Its tiny spring flowers are white with red markings. It requires plenty of sun and well-drained, dry soil in summer. Outside mild regions, it should be grown in a pot to protect it from humidity and cold.
Pelargonium tetragonum is endemic to a small region in southwestern South Africa, ranging from Worcester to Grahamstown. It is a perennial plant belonging to the Geraniaceae family, like all geraniums and pelargoniums. Branches emerge from the stump to form a loosely dense mass about 1.8 to 2m (6 to 7ft) wide or tall. These branches are fleshy, smooth, and brittle, composed of square or triangular segments that are sometimes lobed. The foliage remains evergreen from autumn to the end of spring, becoming somewhat deciduous in summer when the plant enters a period of rest. The soil should be dry during the resting period. The medium green leaves are palmate and divided into 5 lobes. They are sometimes marbled with reddish tones. This foliage is quite soft to the touch. It is equipped with glandular hairs that secrete an aromatic essential oil. When touched or crushed, the leaves emit a resinous and camphor-like fragrance. Flowering occurs between March and June, depending on the climate. To induce flowering, the plant needs sufficient sunlight and a respected summer rest period. The flowers are small and delicate, grouped in pairs. They range from light pink to creamy-white in colour. They often have 4 to 5 petals, with the upper 2 petals being larger and veined with red.
Pelargonium tetragonum is a collector's plant reserved for experienced gardeners. It can be planted in a sunny rockery in mild coastal gardens, sheltered from wind and foot traffic, where it will find a favourable climate. Elsewhere, cultivation in pots is possible, but it requires some skill: respecting the biological rhythm of this species is essential to see it bloom and thrive for several years. It is a frost-sensitive pelargonium that perishes below -3°C (26.6°F).
Pelargonium tetragonum in pictures
Flowering
Foliage
Plant habit
Botanical data
Pelargonium
tetragonum
Geraniaceae
Square-stalked geranium, Square-stack cranesbill
South Africa
Planting and care
In mild, coastal climates, it can be planted in open ground or in a rockery. It prefers a sunny or slightly shaded location between 2pm and 5pm. As its stems are brittle, choose a sheltered spot away from wind and foot traffic. Once well rooted, it will do without watering in summer: its drought resistance is excellent. Limestone soils are well tolerated.
Elsewhere, plant it in a pot that you can be placed in a protected position. Take it out in May. Overwinter it at the beginning of October. Indoors, it will need at least 5 hours of sunlight per day. Fragrant geraniums require well-drained soil, but not necessarily very rich. In a pot, regular watering is necessary in summer, but sparingly to avoid rotting the roots or stems. You can keep your geraniums by bringing them inside a veranda or a cold greenhouse in winter. They can tolerate light frost, but will not survive winter in the garden, except by the seaside.
Planting period
Intended location
Care
Planting & care advice
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Hardiness is the lowest winter temperature a plant can endure without suffering serious damage or even dying. However, hardiness is affected by location (a sheltered area, such as a patio), protection (winter cover) and soil type (hardiness is improved by well-drained soil).
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In temperate climates, pruning of spring-flowering shrubs (forsythia, spireas, etc.) should be done just after flowering.
Pruning of summer-flowering shrubs (Indian Lilac, Perovskia, etc.) can be done in winter or spring.
In cold regions as well as with frost-sensitive plants, avoid pruning too early when severe frosts may still occur.
The harvesting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions in USDA zone 8 (France, England, Ireland, the Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...) fruit and vegetable harvests are likely to be delayed by 3-4 weeks.
In warmer areas (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), harvesting will probably take place earlier, depending on weather conditions.
The sowing periods indicated on our website apply to countries and regions within USDA Zone 8 (France, UK, Ireland, Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...), delay any outdoor sowing by 3-4 weeks, or sow under glass.
In warmer climes (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), bring outdoor sowing forward by a few weeks.
The planting period indicated on our website applies to regions in USDA Zone 9a (East Coast and Midlands: Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny, Portlaoise). It will vary depending on where you live:
- On the west coast and in the north-west (Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Donegal, Westport), delay planting by 1 to 2 weeks in spring and bring it forward by 1 to 2 weeks in autumn compared to the dates given, preferably choosing periods without strong winds.
- In the inland hills and plateaus (Wicklow Mountains, Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, Connemara, Killarney), it is best to plant in spring (April–May) or autumn (September–October), avoiding periods of waterlogged soil in winter and strong winds, which pose the main risk to newly planted trees in these areas.
The flowering period indicated on our website applies to regions in USDA Zone 9a, such as the East Coast and Midlands, including Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny and Portlaoise.
This will vary depending on where you live:
- On the west coast and in the northwest (Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Donegal and Westport), it will be delayed by one to two weeks compared to the given dates, due to stronger Atlantic winds and less spring sunshine.
- In the inland hills and plateaus (the Wicklow Mountains, the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, Connemara and Killarney), flowering will be delayed by two to three weeks. Flowering mainly occurs between May and July, with the limiting factors being less frost and more of the excessive humidity, strong winds and lack of sunshine that are characteristic of these areas.