Geranium pratense (Meadow cranesbill)

Botanical name

Geranium pratense

Other names

Meadow cranesbill, Common cranesbill, Crowfoot, Meadow geranium, Wild geranium

Genus

Geranium Geranium

Species

G. pratense - G. pratense is a clump-forming, herbaceous perennial with hairy stems bearing lobed, deeply divided, toothed, mid-green leaves and upright, leafy stems bearing clusters of saucer-shaped, often veined, violet, blue, or white flowers in summer.

Native to

Central Asia, Europe, Western China

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Clump-forming

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Colour

Flower

Violet, Blue, White in Summer

Foliage

Mid-green in Spring; Mid-green in Summer; Mid-green 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 , Virus

General care

Pruning

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

Propagation methods

Basal cuttings, Division

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Geranium pratense (Meadow cranesbill) will reach a height of 0.9m and a spread of 0.6m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Add to salads, Beds and borders, Cake decoration, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Ground Cover, Underplanting, Wildflower

Cultivation

Best planted in moderately fertile soils in either full sun or partial shade. Shade is tolerated. Avoid waterlogged sites.

Soil type

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

Soil drainage

Well-drained, Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial 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, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Geranium pratense (Meadow cranesbill)

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/