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Herbaceous Perennial

Geranium maculatum
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

spotted cranesbill

An open, upright plant to 70cm tall, growing from a compact rootstock. Leaves are up to 20cm across with 5 or 7 deep divisions, sometimes with faint colour blotches. Flowers are upward-facing, usually pale mauve to pale pink with a white eye and faint veins. Flowering late spring to early summer and sometimes reblooming in autumn

Other common names
alum bloom
alum root
see moreAmerican kino root
chocolate flower
North American crowfoot
North American wild cranesbill
rock weed
sailor's knot
shame-face

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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Pink Green
Summer Pink Green
Autumn Pink Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

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

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Geraniaceae
Native to the UK
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
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
E N America

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed, basal softwood cuttings in early to mid spring or division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Rock garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Ground cover
Pruning

Remove flowered stems and old leaves to encourage the production of fresh leaves and flowers

Pests

May be susceptible to vine weevil, capsid bug and geranium sawfly

Diseases

May be affected by a downy mildew and powdery mildews

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