About

This compact, evergreen, drought-tolerant herbaceous perennial with silver-green lobed foliage and large purple flowers with darker purple centres and veining, which appear from spring through to autumn. An useful addition to an alpine garden.

About the genus

Erodium can be annuals, perennials or subshrubs, some evergreen, with lobed or pinnately divided leaves and bowl-shaped, 5-petalled flowers in summer

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5

Plant details

Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden

Care notes

CultivationGrow in full sun or dappled shade in well-drained non-acidic soil, in a rock garden, alpine house or trough
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by division in spring, or by semi-ripe cuttings of basal shoots in early summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free