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Herbaceous Perennial

Geranium phaeum 'Lisa' (v)

dusky cranesbill 'Lisa'

A reasonably compact, deciduous, herbaceous perennial, producing deeply lobed, bright green leaves marbled in light green, on stems to 70cm (28in) high. Single slightly reflexed smokey purple flowers appear in spring. While best in sun to partial shade, it is also able to tolerate full shade, making it useful for using in the shady border

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full shade
Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

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

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Geraniaceae
Native to the UK: 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 moderately fertile, well-drained soil in sun or part shade but most soils (unless waterlogged) are tolerated. Especially good in damp 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

Cottage and informal garden
City and courtyard gardens
Wildlife gardens
Banks and slopes
Flower borders and beds
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

Cut back after flowering to encourage the production of fresh leaves and flowers. Remove old dead foliage in spring before growth commences

Pests

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

Diseases

May be susceptible to Powdery mildews, downy mildews and a virus

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