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Herbaceous Perennial

Geranium aristatum
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

bearded cranesbill

A perennial, to around 60cm high, with upright stems and deeply lobed, light green leaves covered with fine silvery hairs. In summer, produces clusters of nodding white or pale lilac pink flowers, with strongly reflexed petals and lilac-pink veins merging at the base

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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
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer White Pink Purple Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
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

Unresolved

Plant range
Balkans

How to grow

Cultivation

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

Propagation

Propagate by seed, by division or by basal softwood cuttings in spring. Plants may self-seed but seedlings may not be true to the parent

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Rock garden
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Remove flowered stems and old leaves to encourage the production of fresh leaves and flowers

Pests

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

Diseases

May be susceptible to downy mildews and virus diseases, and to powdery mildews in dry conditions

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