About
Geranium pratense, the meadow cranesbill, is a clump-forming perennial 60�90 cm tall with hairy stems and deeply lobed, mid-green foliage. Saucer-shaped, white, blue or violet flowers 4.5 cm across appear in early to midsummer. One of the most beautiful British native wildflowers, excellent naturalised in grass or as a border perennial.
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 moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildflower meadow, Wildlife gardens
Native toEurope to Himalaya
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in sun or light shade
PruningRemove flowered stems and old leaves to encourage the production of fresh leaves and flowers
PropagationPropagate by seed, or by division in spring or take basal cuttings in early to mid spring and root with bottom heat
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to vine weevil larvae, geranium sawfly larvae, capsid bug, slugs and snails
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews, downy mildews, rust diseases and virus diseases