Geranium pratense 'Boom Chocolatta': Dark Foliage with a Brilliant Blue Spark Geranium pratense 'Boom Chocolatta' brings dramatic contrast to the perennial border with deeply divided, dark bronze foliage crowned by luminous blue-purple flowers. Its vigorous, upright mound develops into a substantial garden presence, offering rich colour even before the first buds open. The saucer-shaped blooms appear from late spring into summer, drawing bees above the dusky leaves. Easy to grow and naturally resistant to deer and rabbits, it delivers the polished look of a foliage plant with the added pleasure of a generous floral display. Plant Characteristics: Height: 61–66 cm Spread: 71–76 cm Flower Colour: Bright blue-purple Flowering Period: Late spring through summer Foliage: Deeply lobed, dark bronze foliage forming a dense mound Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to partial shade Soil Requirements: Average to fertile, well-drained soil with consistent moisture Uses and Benefits: 'Boom Chocolatta' is especially effective in mixed borders, cottage gardens, pollinator plantings, massed drifts, and large containers. Its chocolate-bronze foliage creates a strong backdrop for silver, chartreuse, and fresh green companions, while the blue-purple flowers add a cool flash of colour in early summer. The broad, dense habit covers the ground well and helps knit neighbouring perennials into a cohesive planting. Bees visit the flowers readily, while deer and rabbits generally leave the aromatic, textured foliage alone. Companion Plants: Pair Geranium pratense 'Boom Chocolatta' with Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' for upright violet spires that echo its blue-purple flowers. Add Amsonia tabernaemontana 'Storm Cloud' for airy blue spring blooms and fine-textured foliage, then introduce Panicum virgatum 'Northwind' to provide a tall, architectural framework and golden autumn colour behind the dark geranium mound. Care Instructions: Plant in full sun or partial shade, providing afternoon shade where summers are particularly hot. Grow in well-drained soil and water regularly during establishment; mature plants tolerate brief dry periods but perform best with moderate, even moisture. Apply compost or a light balanced fertilizer in spring, avoiding excessive feeding. Shear the plant after its main flowering flush if the foliage becomes untidy, encouraging fresh growth and possible rebloom. Divide established clumps every three to four years in spring or early autumn to maintain vigour. History: Geranium 'Boom Chocolatta' was developed by noted perennial breeder Hans Hansen at Walters Gardens in Zeeland, Michigan. The original cross was made in 2012, and the seedling was selected in 2014 for its vigorous habit, unusually dark foliage, and abundant blue-purple flowers. After several years of evaluation, it was introduced through the Proven Winners® perennial program and received United States Plant Patent PP32,026 in 2020. Final Thoughts: With foliage as rich as dark chocolate and flowers as vivid as a summer sky, 'Boom Chocolatta' gives perennial borders depth, energy, and season-long distinction. It is a dependable statement plant that never needs to shout to command attention.
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