Geranium macrorrhizum (Big-root crane's bill)

Botanical name

Geranium macrorrhizum

Other names

Big-root crane's bill, Cranesbill, Bigroot cranesbill, Balkan cranesbill, Rock cranesbill, Big root cranesbill

Genus

Geranium Geranium

Species

G. macrorrhizum - G. macrorrhizum is a semi-evergreen perennial with aromatic, sticky, lobed and toothed light green leaves and clusters of pink to purplish-pink or white flowers in early summer.

Foliage

Semi evergreen

Fragrance

Strongly aromatic leaves

Habit

Clump-forming

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Colour

Flower

White, Purple-pink, Pink in Summer

Foliage

Light green in Spring; Light green in Summer; Yellow in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Capsid bug , Rose leaf-rolling sawfly , Slugs , Snails , Vine weevil

Specific diseases

Downy mildew , Powdery mildew

General care

Pruning

Remove spent flower stems and old leaves to encourage the production of new leaves and flowers.

Propagation methods

Basal cuttings, Division

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Geranium macrorrhizum (Big-root crane's bill) will reach a height of 0.5m and a spread of 0.6m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Ground Cover, Underplanting, Rock, Wildflower, Wildlife

Cultivation

Prefers any moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade, but most soils (except waterlogged), in full sun or full shade, are tolerated.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Geranium macrorrhizum (Big-root crane's bill)

Common pest name

Green semi-looper

Scientific pest name

Chrysodeixis eriosoma

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous moth pest which is morphologically identical to a pest already established in the UK in protected environments and being controlled by IPM. Not expected to cause greater impacts than other species of Chrysodeixis in the UK.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/