Geranium cinereum 'Ballerina'

Common name: Ashy Cranesbill 'Ballerina'

Description: Geranium cinereum 'Ballerina' is a beautiful compact hardy geranium producing a prolific display of delicate, cup-shaped flowers in soft lilac-pink with distinctive dark purple veining and a deep crimson centre — a colour combination of great refinement and elegance. The flowers are carried on low, spreading stems above a mound of finely cut, grey-green foliage and appear from late spring through to early autumn, making it one of the longest-flowering of the compact geraniums. It is ideal for rock gardens, raised beds, alpine troughs, and the front of well-drained borders, where its low, tidy habit shows to best advantage. An RHS Award of Garden Merit winner.

Other benefits: RHS Award of Garden Merit; exceptionally long flowering season; beautiful veined flower detail; compact and tidy; ideal for rock gardens and front of borders

Wildlife attraction: bees and other pollinating insects

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 15–20cm x 30cm

Position: full sun; rock gardens, raised beds, alpine troughs, and front of well-drained borders

Soil pH: neutral to slightly alkaline (pH 6.5–7.5); well-drained to dry soil; tolerates chalk and sandy conditions

Moisture: low; drought tolerant once established; excellent drainage essential

Winter hardiness: fully hardy to -20°C