Geranium maculatum 'Schokoprinz'

Hardy Geranium Geraniaceae A particularly good dark-leaved selection of the North American woodland geranium, and one with a rather nice story behind it. ‘Schokoprinz’ was selected by Austrian plantsman Christian H. Kreß of Sarastro Stauden as a chance seedling found in his own display garden. It combined unusually dark, chocolate-brown foliage with rich blue-violet flowers, and proved considerably more vigorous and floriferous than the existing dark-leaved selections. Kreß initially propagated the plant for assessment, while the name ‘Schokoprinz’ was subsequently given by his colleague Maria Ell. The result is a wonderfully useful woodland perennial: an upright clump of strongly coloured foliage topped in late spring and early summer by relatively large, blue-violet flowers with a pale eye. The contrast is particularly effective alongside golden or lime-green foliage. Unlike some brown-leaved Geranium maculatum, ‘Schokoprinz’ retains good vigour and colour, although the foliage can become greener in stronger sunlight. It prefers fertile, moisture-retentive soil and is happiest in partial shade, though it will tolerate sun where the ground does not dry out. Height: 40–50 cm Spread: 40–50 cm Flowering: May–June Hardiness: H7, below –20°C Growing conditions: Moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil; partial shade to sun, avoiding prolonged drought. Breeder/selector: Christian H. Kreß, Sarastro Stauden, Austria; selected as a chance seedling.