Geranium pratense Spinners

The perennial geranium Spinners is a gift from nature, a natural child of the great meadow geranium born in England in the eighties. Its flowers are intensely blue, between ultramarine and royal blue, delicately veined with pink-purple, with a white centre. Its foliage is feathery like that of a Japanese maple, deeply divided, bright green, often red in autumn. It forms majestic, imposing clumps and blooms regularly from May to July. This plant is easy to grow and performs particularly well in heavy, moist soil. One certainty: this chance creation, although not the most floriferous, is one of the largest and one of the best hybrids that can be found.

The perennial geranium Spinners belongs to the Geraniaceae family. Its genealogy is incomplete, but it is known to be derived from Geranium pratense. This large deciduous perennial quickly forms an imposing clump from spring, reaching a height of up to 80cm (32in) and a diameter of 50cm (20in). The flowering begins in May and continues regularly until summer. The flowers are intensely deep blue, with a white centre, very bright. The foliage is remarkable, intensely cut and palmate, like that of some Japanese maples, bright and light green. It frequently takes on pretty red-orange hues in autumn.

Geranium 'Spinners' is suitable for all types of gardens, from wild gardens to cottage gardens to more carefully tended plantings. It pairs well with campanulate flowers, red valerian, tall daisies, or hybrid penstemons. It will be beautifully highlighted by orange blooms, such as those of yellow or orange shrubby potentillas, daylilies, Chinese bellflowers, or Alstroemeria aurantiaca. Its association with old-fashioned pink roses like 'Salet' or 'Jacques Cartier' is incredibly romantic. It adapts wonderfully well to cultivation in large pots on the terrace or balcony.