Pelargonium cucullatum
GERANIACEAE

  Caitlin von Witt     2020-10-25

• Also known as the tree pelargonium, this showy shrub grows from 1-2m and produces inflorescences of large pink-purple, occasionally white, flowers in late spring. With these come insect and bird visitors in abundance.

  There are three subspecies, two of which occur on the Cape Peninsula. Of these, P. cucullatum subsp. cucullatum has hairy, hood-shaped leaves with angular incisions in the outer half. The leaves of P. cucullatum subsp. tabulare are also hairy, but round in shape.

• Flowering time: September-February, mainly late October
  In your garden: For coastal gardens in well-drained sandy soil in full sun. Water-wise once established. Be sure to plant the correct subspecies for your area…
  Distribution: Coastal flats and mountain foothills in the southwestern Cape
  🟪P. cucullatum subsp. cucullatum: cooler slopes near the beach, east of False Bay (and west of False Bay from Gordon’s Bay to Gansbaai)
  🟣P. cucullatum subsp. tabulare: usually on drier slopes around the Cape Peninsula (and at Saldanha Bay)
  Image: P. cucullatum subsp. cucullatum ©️ Caitlin von Witt