Geranium sylvaticum (Wood cranesbill)

Botanical name

Geranium sylvaticum

Other names

Wood cranesbill, Bassinet, King's hood, Wood geranium

Genus

Geranium Geranium

Species

G. sylvaticum - G. sylvaticum is a clump-forming, herbaceous perennial with lobed and toothed mid-green leaves, and saucer-shaped, violet-blue, pinkish-purple, pink or white, lightly veined, white-centred flowers in late spring and early summer.

Native to

Europe, Turkey

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Clump-forming

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Colour

Flower

Blue, White, Veined, Purplish-pink, Purple, Pink in Spring; Veined, Purplish-pink, Purple, Pink, 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 , Sawflies , Vine weevil

Specific diseases

Downy mildew , Powdery mildew

General care

Pruning

Remove old flowers and leaves to encourage the production of new growth.

Propagation methods

Basal cuttings, Division

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Geranium sylvaticum (Wood cranesbill) will reach a height of 0.75m and a spread of 0.6m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Rock, Underplanting, Wildflower, Wildlife

Cultivation

Best planted in most moderately fertile, moist soil. Will tolerate full shade.

Soil type

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

Soil drainage

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 sylvaticum (Wood 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/