Published in Garden Compass Planting Guide fall/winter 2004

Geranium Maderense is often called the pride of Madeira for its prodigious umbrella of magenta inflorescences atop lovely rosettes. Originating from Madeira and the Canary Islands, it is an exceptional option for gardeners in San Diego’s Mediterranean-like climate. This plant is an aromatic evergreen that may behave as a biennial or a perennial.

Geranium maderense’s most alluring feature is its inflorescence of velvety, magenta flowers that bloom between late winter and late summer. The flowers are one and a half inches in diameter with pale tips gradating to dark centers with red anthers. Another memorable trait of the Geranium maderense is its delicate rosette of deeply toothed, 5 to 7 lobed, leaves that can grow to be 2 feet long. A well-established plant may be as large as 4 feet wide and 5 feet high.

Plant Geranium maderense in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Remove old flowered stems and leaves. After most flowers fade, cut plants to within one inch of the ground to encourage a fresh mound of leaves.

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