About
Geranium malviflorum, the mallow-flowered cranesbill, is a tuberous-rooted perennial to 30 cm tall with rounded leaves deeply divided into seven lobes, appearing in autumn and dying away in summer. Mallow-like, light to deep purple flowers with dark-veined petals open in spring. A charming and unusual tuberous cranesbill for a sunny, well-drained position.
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, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Cottage and informal garden, Rock garden, City and courtyard gardens, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens
Native toS Spain, S Portugal, N Africa
Care notes
CultivationBest in full sun and with good drainage, but tolerates nutrient-poor soils and can be used in much the same way as spring bulbs, using annuals or neighbouring plants to occupy the space in summer
PruningDies away back to ground level in summer
PropagationDivide the tubers shortly after the foliage has been lost, but before autumn
Pest resistanceGenerally robust and trouble-free, but can occasionally suffer from slugs, snails, aphids, vine weevil and geranium saw fly
Disease resistanceProblem-free generally, but rust and a virus may occasionally occur