About
Geranium gracile, the slender cranesbill, is a rhizomatous perennial forming a hairy tangle of slightly glossy, five-lobed, light-green leaves. Pink flowers with a white eye and magenta-pink veining are produced freely from June to September. An ideal ground-cover cranesbill for a woodland garden or shaded border.
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, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitMatforming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Native toNE Turkey, S Caucasus, N Iran
Care notes
CultivationGrow in any, moderately fertile soil apart from waterlogged soils. Full sun or partial shade is best but shade is tolerated
PruningRemove flowered stems and old leaves to encourage the production of fresh leaves and flowers
PropagationPropagate by division in spring or propagate by basal cuttings in early to mid spring and root with bottom heat
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to vine weevil, capsid bug, geranium sawfly, slugs and snails
Disease resistanceMaybe susceptible to powdery mildews, downy mildews and a virus