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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Geraniaceae (Geraniums) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Flower Color: White |
| Bloomtime: Spring |
| Height: 1-2 feet |
| Width: 1-2 feet |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F |
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Pelargonium xerophyton (Desert Geranium) - Summer dormant semi-deciduous small succulent caudiform shrub to 18 to 24 inches tall and wide with thick water retaining stems that are intricately branched and hold rounded slightly dentate half inch long light blue-green leaves at their tips. It is sparsely flowering in spring and fall with individual white flowers rising above the foliage on narrow peduncles. The lower petals are pure white while upper petals have red blotches and the stamens tipped with orange anthers. Plant in full sun to light shade in a well-drained soil and water sparingly in summer months. Protect from a hard frost - this plant has been grown outside in the Santa Barbara area including through the cold 2007 January frost event with 3 nights down to 25F without severe damage. A great succulent bonsai or container plant with interesting stems. It comes from the area called the Richtersveld in the north-western corner of South Africa and further north along the coast into southern and Namibia where it grows in the shelter of rocks. 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' meaning "stork" because the seed head looks like that of a stork's beak. The specific epithet comes from the Greek words 'xeros' meaning "dry" and 'phyton' meaning "plant" in reference to this plants dry habitat. Our plants came from Santa Barbara succulent plant grower and aloe hybridizer John Bleck.
The information on this page is based on our library and online research as well as observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in the nursery garden and in other gardens that we have visited. We have also incorporated comments received from others and always appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have some additional information, in particular if this information is contrary to what we have written or includes additional cultural tips that would aid others in growing Pelargonium xerophyton.
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