Kalwerbossie, Rabassam, South African Geranium

Have not seen this plant at local nurseries, but will continue to look for as it should do well in Phoenix metro.

Unlike other pelargoniums that get nipped when temperatures fall into the 20s, this one stays green through the winter. It also withstan...Read Moreds the heat of summer without flagging. An easy-care plant.

Wonderful plant in southern California! Clumps readily, easy to divide and spread or share, but easy to keep controlled as well. Great ...Read Moregrey-green foliage color contrasts well with the crimson flowers. Plan to try this on the east coast and see if it can take the humidity.

Native to South Africa. Reported medicinal uses for respiratory problems.

I bought two of these plants last spring; the dusty, gray/mauve of the leaves and the beautiful, dark flowers were a wonderful addition t...Read Moreo my raised bed. This past winter (2008-09) we had temps down to 17F, and it was 18F for a few days in a row. I thought for sure I had lost both plants, but no! Patience is rewarded! In mid-May the forlorn-looking clumps started sending out new leaves, and now are slowly filling out again.
I have read that pelargonium sidoides has a network of thick, underground branches - an adaptation that enables it to survive brush fires. I wonder if this adaptation helped it survive the potentially killing temperatures of this past winter as well.
This is a lovely plant, and a great choice for an herb or medicinal garden. It has been used for hundreds of years in South Africa as an effective folk remedy for upper respiratory infections including tuberculosis, pneumonia, bronchitis, the flu and the common cold, and for Strep throat.