About
Geranium cinereum, the ashy cranesbill, is a small, sparsely hairy, tufted perennial with often grey or silvery, five- to seven-lobed leaves to 5 cm wide. The stems bear relatively large flowers � usually pale pink with a network of darker veins. A neat and beautiful alpine cranesbill for a sunny, well-drained rock garden.
About the genus
Geranium, the cranesbills, are annuals, biennials and herbaceous or evergreen perennials with rounded, usually palmately lobed or divided leaves and loose clusters of rounded, five-petalled flowers in white, pink, purple or blue. Among the most versatile and garden-worthy of all perennial genera.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeAlpine Rockery, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitMatforming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Rock garden
Native toPyrenees
Care notes
CultivationPerforms best with good drainage and sunlight. Effective groundcover plant
PruningRemove flowered stems and old leaves to encourage the production of fresh leaves and flowers
PropagationPropagate by seed, or from basal cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptble to vine weevil, capsid bug and sawflies
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to downy mildews and powdery mildews