Geranium sinense (Chinese cranesbill) — Mound-forming or spreading

Overview

Geranium sinense 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. Geranium sinense 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. Suggested uses include borders, rock gardens, ground cover and woodland gardens.. It is native to Yunnan, Sichuan provinces and China.

About

Geranium sinense is a mound-forming or spreading perennial cranesbill with rounded, palmately lobed leaves that are often aromatic and may be deciduous or semi‑evergreen. Native to Yunnan and Sichuan provinces in China, it flowers from June to September. It tolerates almost any reasonable soil — loam, chalk, sand or clay — so long as it is well drained but not parched, and will grow in acid, neutral or alkaline conditions. Plant where it receives full sun to partial shade and allow room for it to spread as a border plant, ground cover or in rock and woodland gardens.

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

Geranium sinense originates from Yunnan and Sichuan provinces of China and forms a low mound or spreading mat of palmately lobed foliage. The leaves are frequently aromatic and may be deciduous or hold on semi‑evergreen in milder winters. Flowering runs from June to September, providing a consistent summer display in suitable sites. Place Geranium sinense in full sun to partial shade; it does not need specialist soil and will grow in loam, chalk, sand or clay provided drainage is reasonable and the soil is not allowed to become parched. It tolerates acid, neutral and alkaline pH, and suits any garden aspect. Exposure may be sheltered or open; the plant is rated H5–H7 for UK hardiness (hardy to fully hardy) and corresponds to USDA zones 4–9, so it survives typical British winters across most regions. Use it in mixed borders, as a low ground cover, on rock garden slopes or beneath deciduous trees in a woodland setting. Allow individual plants space to spread and cut back old foliage in spring where necessary. The aromatic, palmately lobed leaves give texture through the seasons and can remain semi‑evergreen in milder areas of the UK.

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 sinense size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Mound-forming or spreading
Foliage: Deciduous or semi-evergreen; rounded, palmately lobed, often aromatic
Suggested uses: Borders, rock gardens, ground cover, woodland gardens.
Native to: Yunnan, Sichuan provinces, China

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Geranium sinense

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 sinense?

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 sinense?

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

What soil does Geranium sinense need?

Geranium sinense 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 sinense?

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.