Pelargonium triste (Night-scented pelargonium)

Botanical name

Pelargonium triste

Other names

Night-scented pelargonium, Night-scented geranium, Night scented pelargonium, Triste geranium

Genus

Pelargonium Pelargonium

Species

P. triste - P. triste is a tender, tuberous, aromatic, evergreen perennial with finely-divided, trailing, grey-green leaves and clusters of fragrant, night-scented, maroon-marked, yellow, green, or pink flowers from spring into summer.

Foliage

Evergreen

Fragrance

Leaves are aromatic. Flowers are fragrant at night.

Habit

Trailing

Colour

Flower

Yellow, Pink, Green in Spring; Pink, Green, Yellow in Summer

Foliage

Grey-green in All seasons

How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Caterpillars , Glasshouse leafhopper , Glasshouse whitefly , Root mealybugs , Thrips , Vine weevil

Specific diseases

Grey mould

General care

Pruning

Deadhead regularly. Cut back in in autumn before overwintering indoors. Alternatively, cut back in spring to encourage fresh growth. Often grown as a bonsai species with the tuber exposed.

Propagation

Sow seed under glass as soon as ripe of in early spring at no lower than 13C. Germination may be slow. Cuttings are best taken in early summer.

Propagation methods

Basal cuttings, Seed

Monthly care advice

Where to grow

Pelargonium triste (Night-scented pelargonium) will reach a height of 0.3m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Drought Tolerant, Greenhouse, Containers, Conservatory, City, Bonsai

Cultivation

Outdoors, grow in frost-free areas in light, well-drained, alkaline to neutral soil in sun. Under glass, grow in a loam-less or loam-based compost in full light with shade from hot sun. Water moderately in growth, sparingly in winter.

Soil type

Chalky, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Sheltered

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

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

USDA zones

Zone 11, Zone 10

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Pelargonium triste (Night-scented 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 triste (Night-scented 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.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Pelargonium triste (Night-scented 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.

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/