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

Overview

Geranium 'Claridge Druce' 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 'Claridge Druce' 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, ground cover, cottage gardens and underplanting for shrubs and trees..

About

Geranium 'Claridge Druce' is a mound-forming or spreading perennial crane's-bill in the family Geraniaceae, noted for an extended flowering spell. It bears rounded, palmately lobed leaves that are deciduous or semi-evergreen and often aromatic. Flower heads appear from June to September. It suits full sun to partial shade and will grow on almost any reasonable soil so long as it is well drained but not parched.

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 'Claridge Druce' is a perennial in the genus Geranium (family Geraniaceae) with a mound-forming or spreading habit and rounded, palmately lobed foliage that can be deciduous or semi-evergreen. Its long flowering season runs from June to September, providing a reliable block of bloom through summer into early autumn. Plant where it will receive full sun to partial shade and avoid waterlogged sites; the species tolerates almost any reasonable garden soil — loam, chalk, sand or clay — and accepts acid, neutral or alkaline pH. It prefers soil that is well drained but not parched and will grow in exposed or sheltered positions and any aspect. Hardiness is rated H5–H7 (hardy to fully hardy), corresponding with USDA zones 4–9, so it withstands typical UK winters from mild to colder areas. Use Geranium 'Claridge Druce' in mixed borders, as ground cover, in cottage garden schemes or to underplant shrubs and trees where its mound-forming habit fills gaps. The aromatic, palmately lobed leaves can remain through milder winters when semi-evergreen, and the extended June–September flowering period helps carry a border between early-summer and late-summer plants.

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 'Claridge Druce' 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, ground cover, cottage gardens, underplanting for shrubs and trees.

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Geranium 'Claridge Druce'

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 'Claridge Druce'?

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 'Claridge Druce'?

Geranium 'Claridge Druce' prefers full sun to partial shade. It suits exposed or sheltered positions.

What soil does Geranium 'Claridge Druce' need?

Geranium 'Claridge Druce' 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 'Claridge Druce'?

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.