Geranium phaeum 'Springtime'

RHS Plant Profile
dusky cranesbill 'Springtime'

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Herbaceous Perennial
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A clump-forming herbaceous perennial 50cm high with deciduous lobed leaves, which emerge marbled with white and cream then mature to green marked near the base of the lobes with dark red, and reflexed, deep maroon-purple flowers, from late spring to midsummer

Position

Full shade, Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full shade 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
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 shade in moist but well-drained soil; good in damp shade

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring, or by basal softwood cuttings taken in spring and rooted with bottom heat; propagation for resale is prohibited without a licence

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Ground cover
  • Banks and slopes
  • 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 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 susceptible to powdery mildews in dry conditions but generally disease-free