Geranium gymnocaulon (bare-stalked cranesbill) — Mound-forming or spreading

Overview

Geranium gymnocaulon 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 gymnocaulon 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 and ground cover. It is native to Alps of central Europe.

About

Geranium gymnocaulon is a perennial cranesbill that forms compact mounds or spreads to cover ground. Its leaves are rounded, palmately lobed and often aromatic, and may be deciduous or semi-evergreen. It flowers from June to September, producing blooms held above the foliage.

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 gymnocaulon originates from the Alps of central Europe and exhibits the tidy, mound-forming or spreading habit typical of many alpine geraniums. The foliage is rounded and palmately lobed; plants may lose their leaves in cold winters or retain them as semi-evergreen where conditions are milder. Flowering runs from June to September, with flowers carried above the leaf canopy. A straightforward site for this species is full sun to partial shade on almost any reasonable soil — loam, chalk, sand or clay — and across acid, neutral and alkaline pH. It requires a well-drained position but not one that becomes parched; it will tolerate exposed as well as sheltered spots and can be placed in any aspect. In UK hardiness terms it sits at H5–H7 (hardy to fully hardy) and corresponds to USDA zones 4–9. Use Geranium gymnocaulon at the front of mixed borders, tucked into rock gardens, or as a low ground cover where its spreading habit can knit between stones and perennials. The aromatic, palmately lobed leaves provide year-round texture where semi-evergreen, and the summer display of blooms from June to September sits neatly above the foliage.

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 gymnocaulon 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
Native to: Alps of central Europe

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Geranium gymnocaulon

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 gymnocaulon?

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 gymnocaulon?

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

What soil does Geranium gymnocaulon need?

Geranium gymnocaulon 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 gymnocaulon?

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.