Geranium endressii 'Rose Clair' (Crane's Bill) — Mound-forming or spreading

Overview

Geranium endressii 'Rose Clair' 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 'Rose Clair' 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, groundcover and rock gardens. It is native to Pyrenees.

About

Geranium endressii 'Rose Clair' is a mound-forming perennial crane's-bill with a spreading habit and a clear flowering run from June to September. Leaves are rounded and palmately lobed and may be deciduous or semi-evergreen, often with an aromatic quality. It suits full sun to partial shade and tolerates almost any reasonable soil so long as it is well drained but not parched. Typical uses include borders, ground cover and rock gardens.

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 'Rose Clair' originates from the Pyrenees and grows as a mound-forming or spreading perennial in temperate gardens. It produces a sequence of blooms through June to September and carries the rounded, palmately lobed leaves associated with many hardy geraniums. Plant it in full sun to partial shade where the soil is well drained yet not bone dry; it will tolerate loam, chalk, sand or clay and a wide pH range (acid to alkaline). Hardiness is H5–H7 in the UK — from reliably hardy to fully hardy — and corresponds to USDA zones 4–9, so it survives typical British winters and colder sheltered sites. Position Geranium endressii 'Rose Clair' at the front of mixed borders, used as a spreading ground cover between shrubs, or on the edge of rock gardens where its mound-forming habit softens stonework. After the main flush of flowers, trim back spent stems to tidy the plant and encourage fresh leaf growth and a second wave of vigour.

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 'Rose Clair' 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, groundcover, rock gardens
Native to: Pyrenees

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Geranium endressii 'Rose Clair'

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 'Rose Clair'?

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 'Rose Clair'?

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

What soil does Geranium endressii 'Rose Clair' need?

Geranium endressii 'Rose Clair' 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 'Rose Clair'?

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.