This is a most valuable genus, providing colour over a long period from early summer. Many varieties are suitable for the herbaceous border, but there are also many that are of a size appropriate for rock garden use.

Geranium magniflorum is a lovely small plant, suitable for a rock garden, originating in the Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa. It has the finest delicate, lacy foliage, grey-green, and quite large purplish blue flowers, with several darker streaks on each petal.