Geranium renardii 'Philippe Vapelle'

Hybrid cultivar from the Geraniaceae family, 'Philippe Vapelle' is the result of a cross between Geranium renardii and Geranium platypetalum. It was obtained in France and bears the name of a horticulturist specializing in perennial geraniums.

It forms a compact clump of 25 to 35 cm, with foliage inherited from G. renardii: rounded, blistered, and slightly velvety leaves, with a characteristic grayish-green color, which partially persist until winter and maintain the plant's presence well beyond flowering.

The flowers are significantly larger and more colorful than those of the type species. They are a deep violet-blue with purplish reflections, with wide and slightly notched petals, entirely traversed by a dense network of dark violet to almost black veins that saturate the petal surface with remarkable intensity. The bright pink center contrasts with the curved stamens with reddish-brown anthers.

In cultivation, flowering occurs in May-June, sometimes with a slight resurgence at the end of summer.

Like G. renardii, this cultivar requires well-drained soil, in full sun or very light partial shade. It is water-efficient once established. It is the chromatic intensity of its flowers, rare in this group with gray-green foliage, that makes it a particularly sought-after subject for sunny rock gardens.