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| Category: Perennial |
| Family: Geraniaceae (Geraniums) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Red/Purple Foliage: Yes |
| Flower Color: Lavender |
| Bloomtime: Year-round |
| Fragrant Flowers: Yes |
| Height: 1 foot |
| Width: 4-6 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F |
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Pelargonium 'Chocolate Mint' - A spreading and cascading perennial plant that can grow to 2 feet tall by 4 feet wide. The soft pale green leaves have maroon splotches that travel up the main veins of each of the 3 lobes when first emerging and then fade to a rich green as summer progresses. In spring and early summer emerge the pale lavender flowers that have darker reddish-lavender markings from the center, giving the flowers a cheery bicolored look. While the foliage has a pleasingly minty fragrance, it does not smell or taste like chocolate and instead, it is the coloration of the leaf that gives this plant its name. Plant in full sun (loses coloration in shade) and irrigate occasionally to regularly, though we have been told it is quite drought tolerant in the cool climate of San Francisco. Hardy and evergreen to 25 ° F and will often resprout from below after colder winters. Sometimes listed as a selection or hybrid of Pelargonium tomentosum, which it certainly resembles in form, flower and scent. The name for the genus comes from Johannes Burman (1707-1780, a Dutch physician and botanist whom Linnaeus worked for in his youth. Burman first used the name to describe some South African Geraniums in 1738. The name was derived from the Greek word 'pelargós' (pe?a????) meaning "stork" because the seed head looks like that of a stork's beak.
This description is based on our research and observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in the nursery garden and in other gardens that we have visited. We also try to incorporate comments received from others and appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have additional information about this plant, particularly if they disagree with what we have written or if they have additional cultural tips that would aid others in growing Pelargonium 'Chocolate Mint'.
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