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Herbaceous Perennial

Geranium × magnificum

purple cranesbill

A clump-forming perennial to 70cm tall, with lobed, hairy green leaves and dark-veined, rich violet flowers 4-5cm wide, in early summer; very prolific, but a short flowering season

Synonyms

Geranium platypetalum misapplied
Geranium ibericum var. platypetalum misapplied
see moreGeranium ibericum misapplied

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 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 sun
Partial shade

Aspect

West–facing or East–facing or South–facing

Exposure

Exposed or 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 GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
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 best in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade, but most soils (unless waterlogged) in either sun or shade are tolerated. Some plants may flop and are best staked

Propagation

Propagate by division between early autumn and early spring or cut back plants after flowering in summer, then divide, replant and water well

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Gravel garden
Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds
Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Ground cover

Pruning

Remove flowered stems and old leaves to encourage the production of fresh leaves and flowers. New foliage quickly appears if cut down after flowering

Pests

May be damaged by vine weevil larvae, Geranium sawfly larvae, capsid bug, slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to downy mildews and powdery mildews

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