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Herbaceous Perennial

Geranium gymnocaulon
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

A clump-forming perennial, to around 40cm high, with stems covered in short, fine hairs, and green leaves deeply divided into 5-7 toothed lobes. Slender stems bear pairs of violet-coloured flowers with deeply notched petals from late spring to summer

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

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
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

Unresolved

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

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • 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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