Geranium traversii elegans (Chatham Island cranesbill) — Mound-forming or spreading

Overview

Geranium traversii elegans 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 traversii elegans 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. It is native to New Zealand (Chatham Islands).

About

Geranium traversii elegans is a perennial cranesbill that forms a low mound or spreads across the ground, notable for its rounded, palmately lobed and often aromatic leaves. It originates from the Chatham Islands of New Zealand and flowers from June to September. The plant tolerates a wide range of soils and light levels, making it adaptable in many planting positions. Foliage may be deciduous or semi-evergreen depending on site conditions.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Geranium traversii

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 traversii elegans is a perennial geranium native to New Zealand’s Chatham Islands, where it occupies a variety of habitats. In cultivation it produces a mound-forming or spreading habit with rounded, palmately lobed leaves that can be aromatic; flowering occurs from June to September. Plant in full sun to partial shade on almost any reasonable soil — loam, chalk, sand or clay — provided it is well drained but not parched. It tolerates acid, neutral and alkaline pH and will cope in exposed or sheltered situations; rated H5–H7 (hardy to fully hardy) for the UK and USDA zones 4–9. Give plants room to spread and avoid persistent waterlogging at the crown. Use Geranium traversii elegans at the front of mixed borders, between shrubs to soften edges, or in drifts where a low spreading habit is wanted on chalky or sandy ground. Where it remains semi-evergreen the rounded, aromatic leaves provide winter texture as well as summer flowers, so position plants where foliage will be visible as well as their summer display.

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 traversii elegans size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Mound-forming or spreading
Foliage: Deciduous or semi-evergreen; rounded, palmately lobed, often aromatic
Native to: New Zealand (Chatham Islands)

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Geranium traversii elegans

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 traversii elegans?

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 traversii elegans?

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

What soil does Geranium traversii elegans need?

Geranium traversii elegans 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 traversii elegans?

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.