Geranium Calliope Dark Red

* Common name: Geranium Calliope Dark Red

Credit: National Garden Bureau

* Botanical name: Pelargonium ‘Amri Trared’

* What it is: A highly touted new cross between a trailing-type ivy geranium and a mounding-type zonal geranium. Calliope Dark Red is particularly vivid with large red flowers. It combines the best of both parents with improved heat- and drought-tolerance and heavy bloom.

* Size: 18 to 20 inches tall and wide.

* Where to use: Ideal in pots. Or mass them in any sunny garden (especially out front), or spot a few for summer color in foundation beds. Best in full sun to light shade.

* Care: Prefers damp, rich and well drained soil but tolerates dry conditions and less than ideal soil. Snip off flower stalks when flowers brown to neaten the plant and encourage continuing bloom. Work compost and/or timed-release flower fertilizer into the soil at planting, then supplement with monthly doses of granular fertilizer formulated for flowers, especially in pots. Water daily in pots, once or twice a week in the ground.

* Great partner: Pair with purple fountain grass and golden sweet potato vine in a big pot. Gloriosa daisy or golden zinnias are good annual partners in a sunny garden bed.