Erodium guttatum (Desf.) Willd. — Spreading branched

Overview

Erodium guttatum (Desf.) Willd. is a spreading branched herbaceous perennial in the genus Erodium, part of the Geraniaceae family, with semi evergreen foliage. Erodium guttatum (Desf.) Willd. grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and alkaline and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include rock garden and alpine house.

About

Erodium guttatum (Desf.) Willd. is a spreading branched cultivar of the Erodium genus, which comprises annuals, perennials, and subshrubs with lobed or pinnately divided foliage and five-petalled bowl-shaped flowers that bloom in summer. This semi-evergreen plant thrives in full sun on south- or west-facing aspects and tolerates both exposed and sheltered conditions. It prefers well-drained chalk, loam, or sand soils with alkaline to neutral pH. Hardy to UK zone H5, it is suitable for rock gardens and alpine houses, offering winter interest. Cultivation involves planting after the last frost in fertile soil, with propagation by seed, division, or basal softwood cuttings.

About the genus

Erodium is a genus of flowering plants in the botanical family Geraniaceae. The genus includes about 120 species with a subcosmopolitan distribution, native to Europe, North Africa, Asia, Australia, and more locally in North and South America. They are perennials, annuals, or subshrubs, with five-petalled flowers in shades of white, pink, and purple, that strongly resemble the better-known Geranium (crane's-bills).

Wikipedia contributors, "Erodium", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Erodium

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Erodium

Sunlight: Full sun
Soil type: Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH: Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture: Well-drained
Aspect: South-facing, West-facing
Exposure: Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness: H5

Plant details

Erodium guttatum (Desf.) Willd. size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Herbaceous Perennial, Alpine Rockery
Habit: Spreading branched
Foliage: Semi evergreen
Suggested uses: Rock garden, Alpine house

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Erodium guttatum (Desf.) Willd.

Propagation: Seed, Division in spring, Basal softwood cuttings in late spring and early summer
Pest resistance: Generally pest-free, may be susceptible to vine weevil if grown in containers
Disease resistance: Generally disease-free

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to plant Erodium guttatum (Desf.) Willd.?

Erodium guttatum (Desf.) Willd. prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.

What soil does Erodium guttatum (Desf.) Willd. need?

Erodium guttatum (Desf.) Willd. is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, loam and sand. It prefers alkaline and neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.

Is Erodium guttatum (Desf.) Willd. hardy in the UK?

Erodium guttatum (Desf.) Willd. has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.

How do I propagate Erodium guttatum (Desf.) Willd.?

Seed, Division in spring, Basal softwood cuttings in late spring and early summer.

More in the Erodium genus

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