Geranium tuberosum

RHS Plant Profile
tuberous-rooted cranesbill

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tuberous-rooted cranesbill RHS
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Herbaceous Perennial
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A low-growing, tuberous perennial, sending up very finely cut leaves to 20-25cm tall, with a feathery appearance. Leaves are produced in spring, the plant then going dormant after flowering. Flowers are borne on slender, erect stems 40cm tall, in early summer, and are pale pink with reddish veining, 2.5cm across, with deeply notched petals

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
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)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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
Plant Range
Mediterranean

How to Grow

Cultivation

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

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring or propagate by basal softwood cuttings in early to mid spring and root with bottom heat

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

No special pruning requirements; spring growth becomes dormant 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