Geranium sylvaticum

RHS Plant Profile
wood cranesbill

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wood cranesbill Dorling Kindersley Ltd
wood cranesbill Dorling Kindersley Ltd

Other common names

bassinet, king's hood, wood geranium

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial
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A medium-sized, deciduous perennial with divided and toothed leaves. Flowers are borne in May and June and are generally violet-blue with a white centre. It is a native of woodland and meadows

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 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
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–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)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Geraniaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
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
Europe

How to Grow

Cultivation

Best in moist soil but will grow in any, moderately fertile soil apart from waterlogged soils. For full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring or propagate by basal cuttings in early to mid spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

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

Pests

Generally pest-free but may be susceptible to vine weevil, capsid bug and sawflies

Diseases

Generally disease-free, but may be susceptible to downy mildews and powdery mildews