About
Geranium procurrens, the spreading cranesbill, is a compact, mound-forming to trailing, deciduous perennial with mid-green, divided, lobed leaves on stems to 30 cm high and up to 1 m across. Deep-pink flowers with a dark-purple eye and purple veins are produced in summer, attracting bees and other pollinators. A useful ground-cover cranesbill and a good addition to the wildlife 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, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand, Clay
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming, Matforming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Wildlife gardens
Native toHimalaya
Care notes
CultivationGrow in any moderately fertile soil apart from waterlogged soils. Full sun or partial shade is best. Full shade is tolerated but may reduce flowering
PruningCut back after flowering to encourage the production of fresh leaves and flowers. Remove old dead foliage in spring before growth commences
PropagationPropagate by division or by seed in spring, or take basal cuttings in early to mid spring and root with bottom heat.
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to vine weevil, geranium sawfly, slugs and snails
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to Powdery mildews, downy mildews and a virus