About
Geranium lucidum, the shining cranesbill, is an annual to 40 cm with branched, ascending, brittle and fleshy, often red-flushed stems and glossy, rounded, kidney-shaped, red-tinged, five- to seven-lobed leaves. Tiny, bright-pink flowers are produced freely from spring into summer. A charming native annual of shaded walls, rocks and hedgebanks.
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 pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained, Moist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeAnnual Biennial
HabitClump forming, Matforming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesWildlife gardens, Wildflower meadow
Care notes
CultivationGrows naturally in well-drained, alkaline soils in full sun or partial shade and often found on limestone rocks and walls; also grows on verges, banks, in gardens and on uncultivated land
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationSpreads readily by seed
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews