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Herbaceous PerennialSynonym

Geranium pratense 'Pope's Purple'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

meadow cranesbill [Black Beauty]

A clump-forming perennial growing to about 45-60cm tall with deeply-divided leaves strongly flushed, purple. Lavender blue, cup-shaped flowers 3.5-4.5cm across with gappy petals and faint pale veins are borne on reddish flower stalks with scarlet bracts beneath each flower, in early to late summer

Synonyms
Geranium 'Nodbeauty'PBR
Geranium 'Black Beauty'
see moreGeranium pratense 'Pope's Purple'
Geranium pratense 'Black Beauty'
Geranium biuncinatum 'Black Beauty'
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Purple
Summer Blue Purple
Autumn Purple
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

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

Trade

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring or propagate by basal cuttings in early to mid spring and root with bottom heat

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Ground cover
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning

Remove flowered stems and old leaves to encourage the production of fresh leaves and flowers in mid-summer

Pests

May be susceptible to geranium sawfly

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, downy mildews, rust diseases and virus diseases

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