Geranium calliope 'Big Red'

Common name(s): Geranium Big Red, Zonal Geranium Big Red, Calliope Geranium Big Red

Family: Geraniaceae
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Plant
Plant
Taken by Ken Harrington on 4th October, 2024 at Mt. Torrens, South Australia
Leaf_front
Leaf (Front)
Taken by Ken Harrington
Flower
Flowers
Taken by Ken Harrington
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Plant Properties
Origin(s)
United States
  • USA: Cultivar
Plant Type
Evergreen Groundcover , Evergreen Shrub
Evergreen Groundcover,
Evergreen Shrub
Climate Range(s) - Habitat
Oceanic, Temperate Cool, Temperate Warm, Mediterranean
Oceanic,
Temperate Cool,
Temperate Warm,
Mediterranean
Aspect Range(s)
Sun - Full, Shade - Light
Sun - Full,
Shade - Light
Habitat Range(s)
Garden, Landscape
Garden,
Landscape
Habitat Zone(s)
Garden, Landscape
Garden,
Landscape
Mature Height
300-350mm
300-350mm
Mature Width
600-700mm, 700-800mm
600-700mm,
700-800mm
Plant Shape
Bun - Low
Bun - Low
Bun - Low Bun - Low
Growth Rate
Fast
Fast
Maturity
1-2 yrs
1-2 yrs
Life Span
5-10yrs, 10-15yrs
5-10yrs,
10-15yrs
Leaf Properties
Colour (front)
Green
Green
Colour (back)
Green
Green
Shape(s)
Reniform
Reniform
Reniform Reniform
Aroma
Pungent-Slight
Pungent-Slight
Texture (front)
Pannose
Pannose
Pannose Pannose
Texture (back)
Pannose
Pannose
Pannose Pannose
Leaf Length(s)
70-80mm, 80-90mm, 90-100mm
70-80mm,
80-90mm,
90-100mm
Leaf Width(s)
100-125mm, 125-150mm
100-125mm,
125-150mm
Margin
Bi-crenate
Bi-crenate
Bi-crenate Bi-crenate
Bark / Stem / Culm Properties
Colour(s) Upper
Green
Green
Colour(s) Lower
Brown-green, Green
Brown-green,
Green
Texture(s) Upper
Glabrous
Glabrous
Hairs-Fine
Hairs-Fine
Glabrous Glabrous,
Hairs-Fine Hairs-Fine
Trunk / Stem Construction(s)
Pith Continuous
Pith Continuous
Pith Continuous Pith Continuous
Trunk / Stem / Culm Cross Section
Terete
Terete
Terete Terete
Flower Properties
Gender: Bisexual
Time(s)
Spring Early - Autumn Early
Flower Colour(s)
Red, Red Dark
Red,
Red Dark
Flower Shape(s)
Rotate
Rotate
Rotate Rotate
Aroma(s)
Pungent-slight
Pungent-slight
Flowers per Arrangement
many
many
Pollinator(s)
Bees, Butterflies
Bees,
Butterflies
Fruit Properties
Season of Fruiting
Summer Early, Autumn Late
Summer Early,
Autumn Late
Maturation for Fruiting
1 yr.
1 yr.
Root Properties
Type
Fibrous
Fibrous
Fibrous Fibrous
Invasiveness
None
None
Soil Properties
Type(s)
Loam, Sandy-loam, Sand, Stony, Hummus Rich, Organic Matter, Premium Potting Mix
Loam,
Sandy-loam,
Sand,
Stony,
Hummus Rich,
Organic Matter,
Premium Potting Mix
pH Range(s)
Acid, Slightly Acid, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline, Alkaline
Acid,
Slightly Acid,
Neutral,
Slightly Alkaline,
Alkaline
Condition(s)
Moist
Moist
Moist - Dry
Moist - Dry
Moist Moist,
Moist - Dry Moist - Dry
Fertile , Deep , Shallow , Well Drained
Fertile,
Deep,
Shallow,
Well Drained
Salinities
Slight
Slight
Slight Slight
Waterlogging Class
W0 – Low tolerance
W0 – Low tolerance
Watering Requirements
WR4 - allow soil to dry between watering, WR5 - soil should remain dry 4 - 5 days between watering
WR4 - allow soil to dry between watering,
WR5 - soil should remain dry 4 - 5 days between watering
Other Properties / Uses
Bee Attraction
Moderate
Moderate
Bird Attraction
None
None
Butterfly Attraction
Poor
Poor
Frog Habitat
None
None
Coastal
2nd Line
2nd Line
Edible(s)
None
None
Fire Retarding
Poor
Poor
Drought Tolerance
Good
Good
Frost Tolerance
Moderate
Moderate
Snow Tolerance
None
None
Landscape Use
Very Good
Very Good
Maintenance(s)
Prune - After Flowering, Cut Back - Late Autumn, Dead Heading
Prune - After Flowering,
Cut Back - Late Autumn,
Dead Heading
Special Purpose(s)
Garden-Park land, Garden-Modern, Garden-Border Plant, Cut Flowers, Garden-Coastal, Garden-Cottage, Garden-Courtyard, Garden-Flower, Garden-Formal, Garden-Hanging Basket, Garden-Informal, Garden-Mediterranean, Garden-Rock, Groundcover, Long Flowering, Playground Friendly, Pool Side, Specimen, Sunny Dry, Sunny Moist, Tolerant-Deer, Tolerant-Kangaroo's, Tolerant-Rabbits/Hares
Garden-Park land,
Garden-Modern,
Garden-Border Plant,
Cut Flowers,
Garden-Coastal,
Garden-Cottage,
Garden-Courtyard,
Garden-Flower,
Garden-Formal,
Garden-Hanging Basket,
Garden-Informal,
Garden-Mediterranean,
Garden-Rock,
Groundcover,
Long Flowering,
Playground Friendly,
Pool Side,
Specimen,
Sunny Dry,
Sunny Moist,
Tolerant-Deer,
Tolerant-Kangaroo's,
Tolerant-Rabbits/Hares
Fertilising Requirements
FR5, FR6, FR10
FR5,
FR6,
FR10
Wind Tolerance
Light Winds
Light Winds

General Notes

Geranium 'Big Red' is a cross between the upright zonal Geranium and the trailing Ivy Geranium, with 15 years of development in the U.S., giving a semi trailing plant with bright green leaves and large bright blooms. Suitable for pots, hanging baskets or garden beds, enmasse or as a specimen. Dead head to promote more flowers. Drought hardy once established.

There are several cultivars in the 'BigR' range

  • Geranium calliope 'Big Pink'
  • Geranium calliope 'Big Burgundy'
  • Geranium calliope 'Big White'
  • Geranium calliope 'Big Lavender Splash'
  • Geranium calliope 'Big Rose'