Unpack bare roots or rhizomes on arrival and plant them within a week. Until then, keep them somewhere cool and ensure the roots remain slightly moist, never wet.
Out of season
Geranium
'Elke'
Embrace cottage-garden style with a profusion of pink blooms, courtesy of sweet and pretty Geranium 'Elke'. It’s endearing and delicate in appearance but mighty in terms of resilience and garden performance. Establish this hardty geranium in your garden and be blown away by it’s generously long flowering season, which it gives in return for very little in terms of upkeep. It brings a long-lasting burst of colour to the garden, in a very easy-going and low-maintenance way. Rarely troubled by pests, diseases or growing problems, Geranium 'Elke' gets on with the job of providing attractive and neat ground-over and masses of bee-friendly mauve-pink flowers edged in white.
A cultivar related to Geranium sanguineum, Geranium 'Elke' has a similar low- growing and bushy habit, and has the same beautifully divided dark green foliage, which offsets the flowers so well. It can be easily slotted into many garden situations: it looks great mingled with perennials and annuals at the front of beds and borders or along paths, can attractively cover slopes and banks, and provides excellent ground cover under shrubs. As a bare-root perennial, Geranium 'Elke' will initially grow strong roots and lots of healthy foliage, before establishing itself as one of the most easy to care for plants in the garden. Start bare roots in pots and grown them on for a few months before planting out for best results.
Quantity
Plant profile
Plant calendar
Remove the packaging straight away, check the compost and water thoroughly if dry. Check the plant’s hardiness before placing it outdoors. Plant into a border or permanent container within a month, choosing the position recommended for the variety. Keep the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil, firm gently and water well.
Soak the roots in water for three to six hours immediately before planting. Keep any crown, buds or emerging shoots above the water where possible.
Pot most bare roots into 15–20cm pots filled with peat-free multipurpose compost. Large or depth-sensitive roots, including peonies, are often best planted directly into borders.
Arrange the roots naturally without bending them. Cover the roots completely, positioning the crown and buds at the depth recommended for that particular perennial.
Keep pots in a sheltered outdoor position and water whenever the compost begins to dry. Grow on until roots hold the compost together when lifted from the pot.
Plant into a suitable border or permanent container once well rooted. Add a label and water regularly throughout the first growing season while the perennial establishes.
- Botanical name
- Geranium 'Elke'
- Flower colour
- Pink
- Established height
- 30-50cm
- Established spread
- 30-50cm
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
-
Spreading
Clump-forming - Hardiness
- Fully hardy
- Leaf colour
- Green
- Mouse resistant
- Yes
- Plant size
- 1
- Plant spacing
- 10 plants per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- Yes
- Position
-
Sheltered
Exposed - Rabbit resistant
- No
- RHS Award (AGM)
- Yes
- Scented
- No
- Soil acidity
- Any
- Soil moisture
-
Free draining
Dry - Soil type
-
Loam
Sandy
Clay
Multipurpose compost
Loam-based compost - Suitable for
-
Pots
Ground cover
Borders
Gravel gardens
Cottage gardens
Wildlife gardens
Large containers
Coastal gardens
Low maintenance gardens - Sunlight
-
Full sun
Partial shade - Toxicity
- No report
- Years to establish
- 1-2 years
Perfect for pots
Pollinator-friendly
Thrives in full sun
RHS Recommended
Perennial
Fully hardy
Packed peat-free
Drought tolerant
Low maintenance
Attracts wildlife
-20%
Paeonia 'Lemon Chiffon'
Regular price
£52.00
Sale price
£65.00
-20%
Allium azureum
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£3.12
Sale price
£3.90
-20%
Allium 'Purple Sensation'
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£3.92
Sale price
£4.90
-20%
Fritillaria meleagris 'Mix'
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£4.96
Sale price
£6.20
-20%
Tulip 'Queen of Night'
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£5.52
Sale price
£6.90
-30%
Narcissus 'Double Mixed'
Regular price
£5.25
Sale price
£7.50
Expert care from
choice to delivery
Our horticulturalists prepare every bulb and plant with the utmost care. From selection to packing, each one receives expert attention before beginning its journey to your garden.
Better by nature
From cultivation to packaging and delivery, we are always looking for ways to lessen our environmental impact.
Growing together
Our care team of horticultural experts is on hand to support you choose and garden with confidence.
World of wonders
A collection of world-renowned flower bulbs and perennials of exceptional beauty and character.
Chosen to thrive
Every bulb and plant is sourced, selected and prepared with an expert eye for their quality and garden performance.
