Japanese name: ピレネーフウロ Scientific name:Geranium pyrenaicum
[Overview]
An evergreen perennial 20–70 cm tall.
The stems and leaves have short glandular hairs and white hairs.
The leaves are of two kinds, basal leaves and leaves opposite on the stem; they are round, 3–7 cm across, deeply palmately divided into 5–7 lobes, and have rounded teeth.
The flowers are reddish-purple to bluish-purple 5-petaled flowers about 1.5–2 cm across, with shallowly 2-lobed petals.
The fruit is a capsule.
[History]
Naturalization has been confirmed mainly around Sapporo.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by division.
It prefers fertile soil in sun to partial shade.
It is hardy, very cold-tolerant and also heat-tolerant, so it can be grown in warm regions too.
In warm regions partial shade is better; avoid dry places, strong western sun and cold north winds in winter.
In the ground, it is best planted under deciduous trees.
Take care not to let it run short of water, and water thoroughly when the soil surface dries.
Give diluted liquid fertilizer in spring and autumn; it is better for no fertilizer to remain in midsummer.
Pests include aphids and spider mites.
