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Annual Biennial

Geranium lucidum
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

shining cranesbill

An annual to 40cm tall with branched, ascending, brittle and fleshy stems and glossy green, red-tinged leaves that are rounded to kidney-shaped with five to seven lobes and blunt teeth. Tiny pink flowers are borne in pairs from spring into summer

Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained, Moist but well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Pink Green Red
Summer Pink Green Red
Autumn Green Red
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

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

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Geraniaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming, Matforming
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

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grows naturally in well-drained, alkaline soils in full sun or partial shade and often found on limestone rocks and walls; also grows on verges, banks, in gardens and on uncultivated land

Propagation

Spreads readily by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Wildflower meadow
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews

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