Erodium x kolbianum ‘Natasha’ is a favourite of mine – and a fine name to say out loud. I first came across it when working in an Alpine nursery and was hooked; pretty, veined flowers with two dark patches, raised on tall, delicate stems above a small mound of glaucous, finely cut foliage. Not a particularly well known plant and, though I do occasionally see it in garden centres, I can’t help but wonder why it isn’t more popular. Anyway, less words, more pictures. Here it is:
November 2011
Oops. Sorry. Let me just shoo that fly away.
November 2011
There. That’s better. Pretty flower isn’t it? And what is so impressive about Natasha is that it just goes on and on and on. The above photos were taken a few days ago.
June 2011
But it has been flowering since at least May.
July 2011
It doesn’t spread and provide ground cover but plant it in a sunny, well drained spot (or pot) and it’ll quite happily flower for months on end. You can propagate easily from cuttings (in my experience it doesn’t seem to self seed) and you don’t need to deadhead – though it looks a little tidier if you do.
September 2011 - not deadheaded
I like a plant that just gets on with it – without any fuss. Don’t you? All that Natasha does require is a little admiration.
The Anxious Gardener 
Does seem to be a popular plant, Janet. Bear her in mind!
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What a lovely looking plant, perfect for a sunny crevice. If I inherit one in my next garden I will attempt to remember her.
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You're welcome WW. And you're right about the blog-reading problem. I have an ever increasing mental list, as I'm sure most bloggers do.
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I've discovered a problem with reading blogs. I see so many beautiful plants that I would like to grow but I don't have the space. However, I think I might be able to find a spot for this one. Thanks for the tip.
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You're welcome, Ronnie!
I think it'd be fine for you, Shirl. Possibly winter wet will be more of a problem than cold though even then it's pretty robust.
Glad you like it, Faisal and good, solid detective work.
Ah, Sara – that ever expanding list, eh? Mine is now 16 and a half feet long!
I'm sure you can squeeze it in somewhere Elaine.
Hi Boys, well I'm only too glad to have returned the favour. You’ve certainly introduced me to enough plants these last few months.
Hi Sis, it's a fairly arbitrary distinction I think. For example, at the 'alpine' nursery where I worked, the rough rule of thumb was no plants taller than 12″ – so we were cultivating and selling violas, creeping thyme and a tiny fuchsia for example, as well as the more usual alpines. Size there then was a determining factor. True alpines, on the other hand, originate in sharply draining, high altitudes – and there aren't a huge number of them. An alpine nursery will want to expand into other plants too just to stay in business. So rockery plants are just small plants suitable for planting amongst the obligatory front garden pile of stones. Hope that answers your question?
It is that, Andrea. It is that.
I should have known that a woman of your taste and refinement would have erodiums, Janet! And a nursery full of gems is all you can ask for.
Dave
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I had erodium in pots. I think I got them at the Jack Drake nursery near Aviemore. He,s long gone but the nursery is still full of gems.
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Thats one sweet little plant!
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I found it on a website that boasted rockery and alpine plants. What's the difference?
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Gorgeous plant David! This is one of the perks of blogging and reading blogs as you get to see various plants others are growing and if you like them then you gotta have 'em! 🙂 Another one on our 'must' list!
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No, you're right, I've never heard of it either, it is delicate and beautiful though – now, where can I find space?
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A new one to me – very pretty. Hmm, I'm sure I can find a little spot for one or two of those somewhere … *adds to mental wishlist*.
Sara
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I admit I've never come across 'Natasha' before; when I first saw it here I thought immediately of Geranium, which, checking Google, is right. I fully concur – a delicate flower, the two dark smudges so well put.
Tall flower stems, Dave – they want to be seen, by the look of it!
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Absolutely Dave, No fuss plants rule! Have made a note of this little gem… not for the no fuss either (love the spots on this one). Had erodium a couple of years ago (by the foliage not this variety) and loved it but was sadly lost during winter. The bees loved it too. Is this one likely to be hardy for me up in Scotland?
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Nothing better than a value for money plant and Natasha is certainly one of those. Thanks Dave for introducing it to me.
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