Pelargonium papilionaceum (Butterfly pelargonium)

Botanical name

Pelargonium papilionaceum

Other names

Butterfly pelargonium, Butterfly geranium, Rambossie, Butterfly cranesbill, Butterfly crane's bill, Butterfly stork's bill

Genus

Pelargonium Pelargonium

Species

P. papilionaceum - P. papilionaceum is an erect, pungent, vigorous yet tender, softly hairy, evergreen shrub with large, rounded to heart-shaped, shallowly lobed, finely toothed, dark green leaves and, from late spring to early autumn, umbel-like clusters of veined, white-marked, pale to bright pink flowers with two large, recurved upper petals and three small, linear lower petals.

Foliage

Evergreen

Fragrance

Opinions about foliage scent vary widely. It has been described as mildly pleasant to an aroma similar to that of a he-goat.

Habit

Erect

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Colour

Flower

Pink, Veined in Spring; Pink, Veined in Summer; Veined, Pink in Autumn

Foliage

Dark-green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids , Caterpillars , Glasshouse whitefly , Leafhoppers , Thrips , Vine weevil

Specific diseases

Foot and root rot , Grey mould , Pelargonium viruses , Rust

General care

Pruning

Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering. May need restrictive pruning under glass or indoors. Under glass, best to cut back by 2/3 in autumn and keep almost dry when dormant.

Propagation

Sow under glass in moist compost when ripe. Plants grown from seed tend to be less vigorous and flower later than plants grown from cuttings.

Propagation methods

Seed, Stem tip cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Pelargonium papilionaceum (Butterfly pelargonium) will reach a height of 2m and a spread of 2m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Waterside, Indoor, Greenhouse, Cottage/Informal, Containers, Conservatory, Coastal, City, Beds and borders

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, well-drained, neutral to alklaine soil in full to partial shade. If grown outdoors in warm climates, may reach 2m tall, shorter if grown indoors. Under glass, grow in full light in a loamless or loam-based compost mixed with sharp sand. Generally does not survive winter outdoors, so overwinter indoors or replace.

Soil type

Chalky, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Shade

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Pelargonium papilionaceum (Butterfly pelargonium)

Common pest name

Omnivorous leafroller

Scientific pest name

Platynota stultana

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous pest which could be potentially damaging to a range of crops if introduced to the UK. Awareness raising amongst the industry is needed. Also need to monitor developments in Spain where the pest is already present and consider whether EU regulation is warranted.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Pelargonium papilionaceum (Butterfly pelargonium)

Common pest name

Banded-winged whitefly

Scientific pest name

Trialeurodes abutiloneus

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous whitefly native to the Americas with the potential to introduce harmful viruses to the UK. EU regulation should be considered and further assessed by EPPO.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Pelargonium papilionaceum (Butterfly pelargonium)

Common pest name

Green semi-looper

Scientific pest name

Chrysodeixis eriosoma

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous moth pest which is morphologically identical to a pest already established in the UK in protected environments and being controlled by IPM. Not expected to cause greater impacts than other species of Chrysodeixis in the UK.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/