Geranium albanum
crested cranesbill
A clump-forming perennial up to 50cm high, with a scrambling habit, slender stems trailing from the base and downy, deeply dissected bright green leaves. Pale pink flowers that mature to magenta, with rounded petals and fine purple veining, are produced from late spring to mid summer
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Pink | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Geraniaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Habit
- Spreading branched, Trailing
- 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
- Plant range
- Caucasus to N Iran
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile, well drained soil, may benefit from afternoon shade in hot summers. Evergreen in milder areas, may die back in colder winters
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
- Wildlife gardens
- Banks and slopes
- Flower borders and beds
- Ground cover
Pruning
This species benefits from being lightly sheared back after flowering, to encourage the production of fresh leaves
Pests
May be susceptible to vine weevil, geranium sawfly, slugs and snails
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews, downy mildews, rust diseases and virus diseases
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