Geranium anemonifolium (Crane's Bill) — Mound-forming or spreading

Overview

Geranium anemonifolium is a mound-forming or spreading perennial in the genus Geranium, part of the Geraniaceae family, with deciduous or semi-evergreen; rounded, palmately lobed, often aromatic foliage. Geranium anemonifolium grows best in full sun to partial shade, and tolerates most soils and acid and neutral or alkaline pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5–H7. Suggested uses include borders, rock gardens, ground cover and woodland gardens.. It is native to Europe and particularly southern and central regions..

About

Geranium anemonifolium is a mound-forming perennial in the Geraniaceae that spreads to cover ground. It has rounded, palmately lobed leaves that are deciduous or semi-evergreen and often aromatic. In the UK it flowers from June to September. It suits full sun to partial shade and a wide range of garden soils.

About the genus

Geranium is a genus of 422 species of annual, biennial, and perennial plants that are commonly known as geraniums, hardy geraniums, or cranesbills. They are found throughout the temperate regions of the world and the mountains of the tropics, with the greatest diversity in the eastern part of the Mediterranean region.

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

In the garden

Geranium anemonifolium is a perennial cranesbill native to Europe, particularly the southern and central regions, that forms low mounds or spreading patches. Flowering runs from June to September in the UK, providing a sustained season of blooms above its rounded, palmately lobed foliage. Give it full sun to partial shade and any reasonable garden soil — loam, chalk, sand or clay will do — provided the site is well drained but not bone dry. It tolerates acid, neutral and alkaline soils, and will grow in exposed or sheltered positions and any aspect. In UK hardiness terms it sits in H5–H7, meaning it is hardy through most gardens (H5) and into very to fully hardy conditions (H6–H7); it also covers USDA zones 4–9, which reflects a broad climatic tolerance. Use Geranium anemonifolium in mixed borders, as a low ground cover in rock gardens, or beneath light woodland canopies where its mounds can soften edges and suppress weeds. Plant so the foliage can show beneath taller perennials, and note that the leaves are often aromatic when handled and can persist into winter where semi-evergreen, giving structure under the summer flowers.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Geranium

Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
Soil type: Almost any reasonable soil — loam, chalk, sand or clay
Soil pH: Acid, neutral or alkaline
Soil moisture: Well drained but not parched
Aspect: Any
Exposure: Exposed or sheltered
UK hardiness: H5–H7

Plant details

Geranium anemonifolium size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Mound-forming or spreading
Foliage: Deciduous or semi-evergreen; rounded, palmately lobed, often aromatic
Suggested uses: Borders, rock gardens, ground cover, woodland gardens.
Native to: Europe, particularly southern and central regions.

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Geranium anemonifolium

Cultivation: Among the least demanding of perennials, asking only for reasonable drainage and an open position. Shear the whole plant back hard after the first flush and water it in; most kinds then produce fresh foliage and a second showing by late summer.
Pruning: Cut back to a low framework after the first flowering to renew the foliage and prompt repeat bloom. Tidy any remaining growth in late autumn or early spring.
Propagation: Divide in spring or autumn. Many species self-seed freely, and basal cuttings suit cultivars that resent disturbance.
Pest resistance: Largely untroubled, though vine weevil grubs attack the roots of container plants and sawfly larvae occasionally strip leaves.
Disease resistance: Powdery mildew and rust may appear on congested plants in a dry summer; shearing back usually resolves both.

Frequently asked questions

How do I grow Geranium anemonifolium?

Among the least demanding of perennials, asking only for reasonable drainage and an open position. Shear the whole plant back hard after the first flush and water it in; most kinds then produce fresh foliage and a second showing by late summer.

Where is the best place to plant Geranium anemonifolium?

Geranium anemonifolium prefers full sun to partial shade. It suits exposed or sheltered positions.

What soil does Geranium anemonifolium need?

Geranium anemonifolium is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including almost any reasonable soil — loam, chalk and sand or clay. It prefers acid and neutral or alkaline soil. Aim for soil that stays well drained but not parched.

How do I prune Geranium anemonifolium?

Cut back to a low framework after the first flowering to renew the foliage and prompt repeat bloom. Tidy any remaining growth in late autumn or early spring.