Geranium sylvaticum 'Wanneri' (Crane's Bill) — Mound-forming or spreading

Overview

Geranium sylvaticum 'Wanneri' 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 around 1.0 m tall. Geranium sylvaticum 'Wanneri' 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, groundcover and woodland gardens. It is native to Belgium, Brussels-Capital Region, Flemish Region, Walloon Region, Greenland and Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

About

Geranium sylvaticum 'Wanneri' is a mound-forming perennial in the geranium family that reaches about 1.0 m. It bears rounded, palmately lobed leaves that are deciduous or semi-evergreen and often aromatic. Flowering is from June to September. The plant spreads to provide ground cover for borders and woodland plots.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Geranium sylvaticum

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 'Wanneri' belongs to the Geraniaceae and the genus Geranium and is native to parts of north-west Europe, including Belgium (Brussels-Capital, Flemish and Walloon regions), the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Greenland. As a mound-forming or spreading perennial it produces a compact clump of palmately lobed foliage before and during the flowering season, and reaches about 1.0 m at maturity. Locate it in full sun to partial shade on almost any reasonable soil — loam, chalk, sand or clay — provided the soil is well drained but not parched. It tolerates acid, neutral and alkaline soils and will grow in exposed or sheltered positions and on any aspect. Rated H5–H7, it is hardy to fully hardy in UK gardens (USDA 4–9), so it will overwinter outdoors across most regions. Use Geranium sylvaticum 'Wanneri' in mixed borders, as a spreading ground cover or in woodland gardens where its mound-forming habit and June–September flowering give season-long structure at the base of taller perennials and shrubs.

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 sylvaticum 'Wanneri' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Mound-forming or spreading
Foliage: Deciduous or semi-evergreen; rounded, palmately lobed, often aromatic
Height: 1.0 m
Suggested uses: Borders, groundcover, woodland gardens
Native to: Belgium, Brussels-Capital Region, Flemish Region, Walloon Region, Greenland, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Geranium sylvaticum 'Wanneri'

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 sylvaticum 'Wanneri'?

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 sylvaticum 'Wanneri'?

Geranium sylvaticum 'Wanneri' prefers full sun to partial shade. It suits exposed or sheltered positions.

What soil does Geranium sylvaticum 'Wanneri' need?

Geranium sylvaticum 'Wanneri' 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 sylvaticum 'Wanneri'?

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.