About
Geranium molle, dove's-foot cranesbill, is a softly hairy annual wildflower to about 30 cm with grey-green, deeply lobed, rounded leaves and tiny, dark-pink to white, notched flowers from spring to autumn. A native plant of dry lawns, bare ground and waste places, useful in wildlife and meadow gardens for attracting early-season pollinators.
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 moistureWell-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing, South-facing, North-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeAnnual Biennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesWildlife gardens, Wildflower meadow
Native toEurope, N Africa, SW Asia
Care notes
CultivationGrows naturally in dryish soils in cultivated and waste areas, and in grassland. A pretty addition to a species-rich lawn, though may need hand-weeding in fine lawns. See dove's foot cranesbill for more information
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationExplosive seed pods mean this annual can spread rapidly across a lawn if allowed to flower
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews