Geranium psilostemon (Armenian cranesbill)

Botanical name

Geranium psilostemon

Other names

Armenian cranesbill, Geranium armenum

Genus

Geranium Geranium

Species

G. psilostemon - G. psilostemon is a clump-forming, herbaceous perennial with bright green, lobed leaves tinted red in autumn and upright stems bearing magenta flowers with black centres in summer.

Native to

Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Clump-forming

Awards

RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)

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Colour

Flower

Magenta in Summer

Foliage

Bright-green in Summer; Red 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 stems once flowered 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 psilostemon (Armenian cranesbill) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Banks and Slopes, Beds and borders, City, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Ground Cover, Low Maintenance, Underplanting, Wildlife

Cultivation

Plant in moderately fertile soil (apart from waterlogged) in full sun or partial shade. Shade is tolerated. May need support.

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

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Geranium psilostemon (Armenian 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/