Geranium madeirense

Endemic to the island of Madeira, where it grows on shaded north-facing slopes and sea cliffs battered by Atlantic gales, Geranium maderense is the largest species in the genus. From a woody base rises a rosette of large, dark green palmate leaves on fleshy reddish stems, the whole plant reaching 1.2 to 1.5 m. In spring and summer it produces an enormous inflorescence of magenta-pink flowers with a dark centre and pale veins, their sepals covered in sticky hairs. Monocarpic or biennial, it dies after setting seed and needs well-drained soil, a sheltered, partly shaded spot, free of hard frost.