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Herbaceous Perennial

Geranium sylvaticum 'Birch Lilac'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

wood cranesbill 'Birch Lilac'

A clump-forming herbaceous perennial, about 70cm high, with deciduous, deeply lobed mid-green leaves, and cup-shaped lilac-purple flowers with white centres from late spring to early summer

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

South–facing or East–facing or North–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

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in sun or light shade in moist but well-drained soil

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Low Maintenance
  • Banks and slopes
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Ground cover
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning

No pruning required, but cutting back flowered stems and old leaves may encourage the growth of fresh leaves and flowers

Pests

May be susceptible to by capsid bug, geranium sawfly, vine weevil, slugs and snails but generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to a rust, a downy mildew, leafy gall, and virus diseases; may also be affected by powdery mildews in dry conditions but generally disease-free

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