The Perennial Plant Association (PPA) has named the Geranium ‘Rozanne’ Perennial Plant of the Year® for the year 2008. PPA members nominate plants for consideration for the award, then a vote is taken for the plant of the year.
The perennial geraneum Rozanne is a recent hybrid forms of Cranesbill. Excellent for long-season flowers, it forms a compact mound of deeply cut green leaves and features loose clusters of saucer- or cup-shaped flowers. The flowers are a beautiful and unique violet blue with purple-violet veins and small white centers.
Flowers begin in early summer and can flower for several weeks to months, particularly in regions that have cool summers. The plant grows well in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil. It prefers to be in full sun to part shade, and grows best in full sun with some protection from the harsh afternoon heat and sun in hotter climates. The plant is hardy for USDA Zones 5-8 and can be used as an annual in others. It is quite low maintenance and easy to grow.
The plant grows to be about 12-20 inches tall and spreads 18-23 inches. Suggested uses for the Rozanne geraneum include borders, rock gardens, container gardens, or as ground cover or edging. It would also be dynamic included with other plants or alone in hanging baskets or window boxes. The plant is resistant to rabbits.
The Perennial Plant Association suggests that the geraneum Rozanne would be a good companion plant to such other plants as Shasta daisy, perennial salvia, speedwell, hostas and short ornamental grasses.
For more information on the Perennial Plant Association and the Plant of the year, visit www.perennialplant.org.
