PlantFiles: Heart-leaved Storkbill, Heart-leaved Geranium
Pelargonium cordifolium

Not often seen in the trade, this is a very attractive evergreen species capable of developing into a 2 x 2m. shrub or more in time depending upon growing conditions. The individual flowers are not the most showy, being quite small (approx 7.5mm. across) and the the lower 3 petals are reduced to thread-like appendages. However, they are carried in dense heads with many opening at the same time and create a very satisfying effect in the garden. Even without flowers, the white felted reverse of the rather thick, heart-shaped leaves make this a worthwhile plant. As with many pelargoniums, it can only tolerate very light, short lived frosts and sull sun plus perfect drainage is essential. It makes a good specimen in a large container and can even be trained against a sunny wall in favoured locations.

This is definitely a "collector's type" of pelargonium, very difficult to locate at local garden centers. There are estimates that there are 500+ cultivars of this species.