Geranium phaeum lividum (leaden dusky cranesbill) — Mound-forming or spreading

Overview

Geranium phaeum lividum 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. It typically grows 0.5 m wide. Geranium phaeum lividum 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. It is native to C & S Europe.

About

Geranium phaeum lividum is a mound-forming perennial geranium notable for its dusky, dark-violet flowers with reflexed petals and conspicuous stamens. It produces a spreading clump of rounded, palmately lobed leaves that are deciduous or semi-evergreen and often aromatic. Plants reach roughly 0.5 m across. Leaves commonly develop brown blotches as they age.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Geranium phaeum

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

A member of the Geraniaceae native to central and southern Europe, Geranium phaeum lividum flowers from June to September and shows the folded-back petals and projecting stamens typical of dusky cranesbills. The habit is mound-forming or spreading, making compact clumps rather than tall spikes. Place it in full sun to partial shade; it tolerates any aspect and both exposed or sheltered sites. Soil can be almost any reasonable type — loam, chalk, sand or clay — and it accepts acid, neutral or alkaline pH. Keep the soil well drained but not parched. Hardiness is H5–H7, which translates to hardy to fully hardy across most UK gardens; allow about 0.5 m for each plant's spread when planting. Use Geranium phaeum lividum in mixed perennial borders, at the front of sunny or partly shaded beds, or to naturalise in shadier areas where a low mound of foliage is wanted. Its tolerance of a wide range of soils makes it suitable for clay or chalk gardens alike. Note that the rounded leaves often develop brown blotches, a characteristic feature as the season progresses.

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 phaeum lividum size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Mound-forming or spreading
Foliage: Deciduous or semi-evergreen; rounded, palmately lobed, often aromatic
Spread: 0.5 m
Native to: C & S Europe

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Geranium phaeum lividum

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 phaeum lividum?

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 phaeum lividum?

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

What soil does Geranium phaeum lividum need?

Geranium phaeum lividum 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 phaeum lividum?

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.