Geranium endressii 'Wargrave Pink' (Crane's Bill) — Mound-forming or spreading

Overview

Geranium endressii 'Wargrave Pink' 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 'Wargrave Pink' 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 'Wargrave Pink' is a mound-forming perennial geranium that produces soft-pink flowers. The plant has rounded, palmately lobed foliage that is deciduous or semi-evergreen and often aromatic. It thrives in full sun to partial shade on almost any reasonable soil and is hardy across H5–H7. Suitable 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

A mound-forming member of the Geraniaceae, Geranium endressii 'Wargrave Pink' comes from the Pyrenees and performs as a spreading perennial in temperate gardens. Its habit suits low drifts or edging and the rounded, palmately lobed leaves can persist as semi-evergreen in milder sites. Plant it where it receives full sun to partial shade in soil that is well drained but not parched; it tolerates loam, chalk, sand or clay and copes with acid, neutral or alkaline pH. The species withstands typical UK winters from H5 to H7 (equivalent to hardy through fully hardy) and also falls within USDA zones 4–9. Expect the flowering display between June and September. Geranium endressii 'Wargrave Pink' suits front-of-border planting, filling gaps between taller perennials and acting as an effective ground cover in light shade or on rock garden slopes. The combination of spreading habit and aromatic, lobed leaves means it carries the summer display without needing constant attention. Expect a low mound of leaves that carries soft-pink flowers through the June to September 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 'Wargrave Pink' 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 'Wargrave Pink'

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 'Wargrave Pink'?

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 'Wargrave Pink'?

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

What soil does Geranium endressii 'Wargrave Pink' need?

Geranium endressii 'Wargrave Pink' 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 'Wargrave Pink'?

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.