Geranium macrorrhizum 'Ridsko'

RHS Plant Profile

big-root cranesbill 'Ridsko'

RHS

Herbaceous Perennial

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'Ridsko' is a herbaceous perennial, 30-35cm high, spreading by dark rhizomes, with dark stems, almost deciduous, aromatic, lobed, rather glossy green leaves, which turn red in autumn, and pale magenta-pink flowers, 2.5cm across, held well above the leaves, from late spring to early summer

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 or 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
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Geraniaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Semi evergreen
Habit: Matforming
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 full sun or partial shade in well-drained soil; excellent for ground-cover

Propagation

Propagate by division or by rhizome cuttings in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Rock garden
Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds
Ground cover
Garden edging
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

No pruning required

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, downy mildews, leafy gall, and virus diseases; may also be susceptible to powdery mildews in dry conditions but generally disease-free