Geranium phaeum var. phaeum 'Langthorns Blue'

RHS Plant Profile
dusky cranesbill 'Langthorns Blue'

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dusky cranesbill 'Langthorns Blue' RHS
dusky cranesbill 'Langthorns Blue' RHS
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Herbaceous Perennial
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'Langthorns Blue' is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial, to 60cm high, with deciduous green leaves blotched purplish-brown in the notches between the seven or nine lobes. Flowers, 2-2.5cm across, of reflexed violet-blue petals with darker veins above the paler bases, appear from late spring to early summer

Position

Full shade, Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 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 East–facing or West–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

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Low Maintenance
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back flowered stems and old leaves to encourage fresh growth

Pests

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

Diseases

May be susceptible to a rust, downy mildews, leafy gall and a virus. May be susceptible to powdery mildews in dry conditions