About
Geranium palmatum, the Canary Island cranesbill, is a strong, evergreen perennial forming a large rosette of deeply divided leaves to 30 cm wide with reddish stalks. In summer, large branched inflorescences to 1.2 m tall carry a mass of dark-centred, purplish-pink, 4 cm flowers. A spectacular architectural plant for a sheltered, frost-free garden.
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
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Coastal, Mediterranean climate plants, Wildlife gardens
Native toMadeira
Care notes
CultivationGrow in any moderately fertile well-drained soil in full sun
PruningRemove flowered stems and old leaves to encourage the production of fresh leaves and flowers
PropagationPropagate by division in spring or propagate by basal cuttings in early to mid spring and root with bottom heat
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to vine weevil, capsid bug and sawflies
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to downy mildews and powdery mildews