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

Overview

Geranium yunnanense 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 yunnanense 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 and ground cover. It is native to China (Yunnan province).

About

Geranium yunnanense is a mound-forming or spreading perennial from Yunnan province in China, belonging to the Geraniaceae. It carries rounded, palmately lobed leaves that are deciduous or semi-evergreen and often aromatic. The plant suits full sun to partial shade and tolerates exposed positions on almost any reasonable, well-drained soil. Flowers appear June to September, and it is commonly used in borders, rock gardens and as ground cover.

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

A perennial member of the Geraniaceae native to Yunnan province, Geranium yunnanense forms a low mound or spreading carpet with palmately lobed foliage. The leaves may be deciduous or remain semi-evergreen in milder sites and are often aromatic when handled, offering texture as well as scent at close range. Flowering runs from June to September, providing a sustained summer display. Site choice is flexible: it succeeds in full sun or partial shade and tolerates both exposed and sheltered positions. Soil can be loam, chalk, sand or clay so long as it drains freely and is not waterlogged; the plant prefers well‑drained but not parched conditions and will grow in acid, neutral or alkaline soils. Hardiness is H5–H7 (H5 = hardy, H6 = very hardy, H7 = fully hardy), so it will withstand typical UK winters across most regions. USDA zones 4–9 indicate similar cold tolerance in other climates. Use Geranium yunnanense to fill gaps at the front of borders, spill over walls in rock gardens or form a low ground cover beneath larger perennials. The combination of long flowering time and aromatic foliage makes it particularly useful where low-growing, season-long presence is wanted; in milder coastal locations the semi-evergreen leaves often persist through winter before the June flowering starts.

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 yunnanense 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
Native to: China (Yunnan province)

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Geranium yunnanense

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 yunnanense?

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 yunnanense?

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

What soil does Geranium yunnanense need?

Geranium yunnanense 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 yunnanense?

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.