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Products > Geranium incanum   Geranium incanum - Carpet Geranium     [2nd Image] Habit and Cultural Information Category: Perennial Family: Geraniaceae (Geraniums) Origin: South Africa (Africa) Evergreen: Yes Flower Color: Mauve Bloomtime: Spring/Fall Height: <1 foot Width: Spreading Exposure: Sun or Shade Seaside: Yes Summer Dry: Yes Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F Geranium incanum (Carpet Geranium) - A tender perennial that forms fine textured 10 inch tall mats of delicate wiry leaves that are gray on their undersides and pale mauve flowers that appear from spring to fall and often longer in mild years. Trim plants after bloom flush for rebloom and prevent reseeding or let it naturalize about as it is not particularly pesty. Cut to the ground every other year to tidy up the clumps. Plant in full sun in a well-drained soil and irrigate occasionally to infrequently. It is hardy to about 25 degrees F. This is a very tough plant in the coastal garden, tolerating drought and neglect and makes a good small scale groundcover that can hang over the edge of rocks or walls or be used in a hanging basket. A most beautiful weed! This plant is native to southwestern and eastern South Africa where it is found scrambling about through natural vegetation. The etymology of the genus name Geranium, and the family Geraniaceae, is derived from the Greek word, 'geranos' which means "crane" from the seed capsule's resemblance to beak of this bird. The specific epithet is from the Latin word ' meaning grayish or hoary in reference to a pale grayish-white color of the underside of the leaves. We have grown this attractive plant on and off since first listing it in our 1983 catalog.  The information about Geranium incanum displayed on this page is based on research conducted in our library and from reliable online resources. We also relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we visit, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others, and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing it.