Geranium hybrid 'Anne Thomson'

Key features: Rich magenta flowers. A more compact form, similar to Ann Folkard.

This is one of the hybrids created by Alan Bremner who resides on Orkney. He has brought many fantastic varieties of Geranium to market over the years including 'St. Ola', 'Patricia', 'Dreamland', 'Orkney Cherry' and 'Philippe Vapelle'

Height x Spread: 12 x 18 inches (30 x 45 cm)

Preferred Aspect: Full sun

Flowering Period: June - October

Anne Thomson is a hybrid of G. psilostemon and G. procurrens. The latter rarely being commercially available. Due to its former parent though, it should be noted that Anne Thomson is somewhat more tender than other Geraniums, so some form of protection during periods of cold, wet weather, may be wise to prevent the loss of the plant. Well drained soil is a must.

The Geranium hybrids, as with all plants, are the results of cross pollination between two species. This can be done intentionally by human intervention, or by bees who buzz from species to species within a garden, the results later on being a seedling that pops up, discovered by a keen-eyed gardener and grown on, potentially identifying unique characteristics. Hybrids generally have a combination of the best traits from whatever their two parent plants were. This means that the commercially available ones are usually tried and tested strong growers with very good flowering periods, which a lot of people tend to look for. They also tend to be sterile and unable to produce seeds; this also influences the flowering period as the plant is constantly waiting for pollination to occur (which to the plant, never happens) so it goes on flowering as much as it can.

Hardy Geraniums are one of the most diverse genera of herbaceous perennials. It is possible to find a Geranium to suit most parts of your garden, from the vast range of species and varieties available. They complement most other plants beautifully and, chosen wisely, can provide a continuation of colour in the garden from spring through to early winter.

Please note that the heights, spreads and flowering periods mentioned are approximate, as they can be affected by your soil type, light levels and other various conditions that may surround the plant.