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

Overview

Geranium grevilleanum 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 grevilleanum 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, rock gardens, ground cover and cottage gardens. It is native to Turkey.

About

Geranium grevilleanum is a mound-forming or spreading perennial crane's-bill from Turkey. It bears rounded, palmately lobed leaves that are deciduous or semi-evergreen and often aromatic. Small geranium flowers appear from June to September. It tolerates a wide range of soils as long as they drain freely.

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 grevilleanum is a perennial member of the Geraniaceae native to Turkey, forming low mounds or spreading patches of palmately lobed foliage. The leaves can be deciduous or remain semi-evergreen and are often aromatic; flowering runs from June to September, providing summer colour at ground level. Plant it in full sun to partial shade where soil is well drained but not parched: it will grow in loam, chalk, sand or clay and accepts acid, neutral or alkaline conditions. Aspect is not critical and it will tolerate both exposed and sheltered sites. It carries UK ratings H5–H7, meaning hardy to fully hardy, so it will survive winter conditions across most of the country. In a garden, Geranium grevilleanum is suited to mixed borders, rock gardens, cottage-style beds and as a spreading ground cover beneath larger perennials and shrubs. Its tolerance of varied soil types and exposure makes it useful on bankings or in gravelly areas within those situations. The aromatic foliage and long flowering period make it a good underplanting where low, steady summer colour and scent are wanted.

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 grevilleanum 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, rock gardens, ground cover, cottage gardens
Native to: Turkey

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Geranium grevilleanum

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 grevilleanum?

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 grevilleanum?

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

What soil does Geranium grevilleanum need?

Geranium grevilleanum 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 grevilleanum?

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.