Geranium brevicaule 'Nigricans'

RHS Plant Profile

cranesbill 'Nigricans'

Synonyms

Geranium sessiliflorum subsp. novae-zelandiae 'Nigricans', Geranium sessiliflorum 'Nigricans'

Herbaceous Perennial

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A small mound forming perennial with small dark purpley bronze leaves with rounded lobes and hints of orange into late summer and autumn. Small white flowers stand out against the dark foliage, a long lasting display for the summer and into the autumn, a sweet little plant for an alpine display

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: East–facing or South–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): H5

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Geraniaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
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: Not established

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any, moderately fertile soil apart from waterlogged soils. Full sun is required to help retain leaf colour

Propagation

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

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Rock garden
City and courtyard gardens
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds

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, geranium sawfly, slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, a downy mildew and a virus