Geranium sylvaticum 'Album' (Wood Cranesbill) — Clump-forming, Mat-forming, Trailing, Prostrate

Overview

Geranium sylvaticum 'Album' is a plant with a clump-forming, mat-forming, trailing, prostrate habit in the genus Geranium, part of the Geraniaceae family, with light green, bright green, silvery, dissected, patterned foliage. Geranium sylvaticum 'Album' grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include borders, groundcover, rock gardens and woodland gardens.

About

Geranium sylvaticum 'Album' is a clump-forming, mat-forming geranium that spreads low across the ground with dissected, patterned foliage. Leaves are light to silvery green and sit close to the soil surface. Flowering takes place June to September, with flower stalks carried above the leaf rosettes. Its trailing, prostrate habit makes it effective where a low, spreading geranium is required.

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 sylvaticum 'Album' is a member of the Geraniaceae that establishes as a low, mat-forming perennial. Its foliage is dissected and patterned, showing light to silvery green tones that form a neat carpet; flowering stems rise above the leaves from June to September. The cultivar's growth habit — clump-forming yet able to trail and lie prostrate — suits close-to-ground planting. Choose a position in full sun or partial shade and a soil that suits the site: it tolerates chalk, clay, loam and sand and will grow across a range of pH from acid to alkaline to neutral. Soils should be well-drained or at least moist but well-drained; the plant will cope with exposed as well as sheltered locations and can be planted on north, south, east or west-facing aspects. The hardiness rating H4 (average) indicates it survives typical UK winters across most regions. Plant into borders, use between rocks in a rock garden, or lay as a ground cover in woodland-style beds where its low mats will knit around other perennials. Allow the foliage to form a continuous cover at the soil level to take advantage of its prostrate habit and reduce gaps where annual weeds can establish.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Geranium

Sunlight: Full sun, Partial shade
Soil type: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH: Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture: Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Aspect: North, South, East, West-facing
Exposure: Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness: H4

Plant details

Geranium sylvaticum 'Album' size, habit and characteristics

Habit: Clump-forming, Mat-forming, Trailing, Prostrate
Foliage: Light green, Bright green, Silvery, Dissected, Patterned
Suggested uses: Borders, Groundcover, Rock gardens, Woodland gardens

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Geranium sylvaticum 'Album'

Propagation: Seed, Division, Cuttings
Pest resistance: Generally pest-resistant
Disease resistance: Generally disease-resistant

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to plant Geranium sylvaticum 'Album'?

Geranium sylvaticum 'Album' prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.

What soil does Geranium sylvaticum 'Album' need?

Geranium sylvaticum 'Album' is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.