Geranium endressii (Endres's cranesbill) — Mound-forming or spreading

Overview

Geranium endressii 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 endressii 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 groundcover, borders and rock gardens. It is native to Pyrenees.

About

Geranium endressii is a mound-forming perennial geranium valued for its spreading ground cover habit. The plant bears rounded, palmately lobed leaves that are deciduous or semi-evergreen and often aromatic. It flowers from June to September. It thrives in full sun to partial shade on almost any reasonable soil.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Geranium endressii

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 endressii is a perennial from the Pyrenees with a mounding to spreading habit that suits close-to-the-ground planting. The foliage is rounded and palmately lobed, and plants may retain some leaves through mild winters where conditions allow. Flowering runs from June to September, providing summer cover at a low level. Grow it in full sun or partial shade; it tolerates exposed or sheltered positions and will take almost any reasonable soil type — loam, chalk, sand or clay — provided the ground is well drained but not parched. It copes with acid, neutral and alkaline soils and is rated H5–H7 for UK hardiness, meaning it is hardy to fully hardy across most British gardens (USDA zones 4–9 applies for reference). Use Geranium endressii as a ground cover between shrubs, at the front of borders or in rock gardens where its mound-forming habit can spill softly over stones. The plant’s low profile and spreading habit make it effective for softening edges and filling gaps between larger perennials. Position where you can appreciate the lobed foliage close up during the growing season.

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 endressii size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Mound-forming or spreading
Foliage: Deciduous or semi-evergreen; rounded, palmately lobed, often aromatic
Suggested uses: Groundcover, Borders, Rock gardens
Native to: Pyrenees

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Geranium endressii

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 endressii?

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 endressii?

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

What soil does Geranium endressii need?

Geranium endressii 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 endressii?

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.