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Herbaceous Perennial

Geranium phaeum 'Rose Madder'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

dusky cranesbill 'Rose Madder'

A clump-forming herbaceous perennial, to 60cm high, with deciduous, lobed, green leaves blotched with purplish-brown. Reflexed flowers, brownish-pink shading to dark reddish-pink then lavender-grey at the centre, appear from late spring to early summer

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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Pink Brown Purple Green
Summer Pink Brown Purple Green
Autumn Brown Purple Green
Winter
Position
  • Full shade
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

West–facing or South–facing or North–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Geraniaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Geranium can be annuals, biennials and perennials, herbaceous or evergreen, with rounded, usually palmately lobed or divided leaves, and lax inflorescences of rounded, 5-petalled flowers

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in sun or shade in moist but well-drained soil; good in damp shade

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring, or by basal softwood cuttings taken in spring and rooted with bottom heat

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning

Cut back flowered stems and old leaves to encourage fresh growth

Pests

May be susceptible to capsid bug, geranium sawfly, vine weevil, slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to a rust, downy mildews, leafy gall, a virus and powdery mildews

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