Meadow cranesbill

Sun

Full sun to partial shade; give afternoon shade in hotter climates.

Water

Moderate; water during prolonged dry spells, especially while establishing and after cutting back.

Soil

Moderately fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil; tolerates clay, loam and chalk if drainage is adequate.

Height

2-3 ft (0.6-0.9 m)

Spread

1.5-2.5 ft (0.45-0.75 m)

Flowers

Late spring to midsummer; usually violet-blue with darker veins. Named cultivars may have white, pink or purple flowers.

Foliage

Deeply lobed, hairy green leaves form a basal mound; leaves may turn reddish in autumn before dying back.

Growth

Moderate

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Deer resistant
• Cold hardy
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Easy

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1 ft (0.3 m)

2. After 1 year

   1.5 ft (0.45 m)

3. After 2 years

   2 ft (0.6 m)

4. After 3 years

   2.5 ft (0.75 m)

   full size

About 3 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Native to

the UK

Invasive in

the US

In the garden

Spreads vigorously: plan to contain it.

Growth rate

Moderate

• Water regularly through the first growing season, then during prolonged dry weather.
• Apply a thin layer of compost in spring; avoid heavy nitrogen feeding, which encourages floppy growth.
• Mulch to conserve moisture, keeping mulch away from the crown.
• Use twiggy supports early if plants lean into paths or grow in rich soil.
• Divide crowded clumps in spring or autumn when flowering declines.
• Remove developing seedheads if you do not want seedlings.

Pruning. After the main flowering flush, cut tired flowering stems and ragged foliage back to just above the basal growth, then water to encourage fresh leaves and sometimes a few more flowers. Remove dead foliage in late winter or early spring.

Early spring

Remove dead foliage and top-dress around the clump with compost.

Spring

Plant or divide clumps and water well while roots establish.

Late spring

Add discreet supports before tall flowering stems begin to lean.

Summer

After the main flowering flush, cut back untidy growth and water during dry weather.

Late summer

Remove remaining seedheads where self-seeding is unwanted.

Autumn

Plant or divide in mild regions while the soil is moist but not waterlogged.

• Plant in informal drifts through the middle of a cottage border for a soft wash of blue.
• Combine with roses to soften bare lower stems without hiding the rose flowers.
• Weave among ornamental grasses and upright perennials for contrasting flower shapes and foliage.
• Use in a sunny, moisture-retentive meadow-style planting where occasional seedlings are welcome.

Garden styles it suits: Cottage garden, English country, New perennial (prairie), Wildflower, Pollinator garden and Blues and silvers.

Plant it with: Roses, Lady's mantle, Meadow sage, Astrantia, Oxeye daisy and Tufted hair grass.

Wildlife: Open flowers provide pollen and nectar for bees and other visiting insects. It is native across much of Europe and temperate Asia, but is not a native meadow plant in North America or Australia.

• Powdery mildew can mark leaves in dry weather or crowded plantings; improve airflow, water the root zone during drought and remove badly affected foliage.
• Slugs and snails may damage emerging shoots; check young growth and use barriers, hand-picking or an appropriate iron phosphate bait.
• Stems may flop in shade or overly rich soil; provide more light, avoid heavy feeding and support stems early.
• Hot, dry weather can cause scorched or collapsing foliage; water deeply, mulch and provide afternoon shade in hot regions.

Not known to be toxic to people, cats, dogs or horses, and no part is recognized as a significant poisoning hazard. It is an ornamental plant, not a food crop; do not confuse hardy Geranium species with Pelargonium, often sold as geraniums.

Where it spreads. Recognized as an invasive non-native plant in Alaska. It can self-seed freely in cool, moist conditions, so remove seedheads near natural grassland and check local guidance before planting.

• Wood cranesbill (Geranium sylvaticum)

  Usually has reddish-purple flowers with a conspicuous pale centre and less finely divided leaves; it is more closely associated with woodland and light shade.

• Bloody cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum)

  Forms a much lower mound with smaller, finely divided leaves and usually magenta flowers borne singly rather than in loose clusters on tall stems.

• Meadow buttercup (Ranunculus acris)

  Its divided basal leaves can look similar before flowering, but its flowers are glossy yellow rather than violet-blue.

Geranium comes from the Greek word for crane, referring to the beak-shaped fruit, while pratense means 'of meadows'.

Propagation. Divide established clumps in spring or autumn. Sow fresh seed in autumn, or give stored seed a period of cold, moist conditions; germination can be uneven. Seedlings from named cultivars may differ from the parent, so divide cultivars to keep their characteristics.

Accepted botanical name

Geranium pratense

In the US and Canada

Introduced in Canada and the lower 48 states.

Native range

Altay, Amur, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Buryatiya, Central European Rus, China North-Central, China South-Central and Czechoslovakia.

Measured

Soil pH 6.5 to 7. Average height 33 cm.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0), USDA PLANTS and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.