Geranium × magnificum

RHS Plant Profile

purple cranesbill

Synonyms

Geranium platypetalum misapplied
Geranium ibericum misapplied
Geranium ibericum var. platypetalum misapplied

Herbaceous Perennial

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A clump-forming perennial to 70cm tall, with lobed, hairy green leaves and dark-veined, rich violet flowers 4-5cm wide, in early summer; very prolific, but a short flowering season

Position

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 or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: West–facing or East–facing or South–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: 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

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows best in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade, but most soils (unless waterlogged) in either sun or shade are tolerated. Some plants may flop and are best staked

Propagation

Propagate by division between early autumn and early spring or cut back plants after flowering in summer, then divide, replant and water well

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Gravel garden
Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds
Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Ground cover

Pruning

Remove flowered stems and old leaves to encourage the production of fresh leaves and flowers. New foliage quickly appears if cut down after flowering

Pests

May be damaged by vine weevil larvae, Geranium sawfly larvae, capsid bug, slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to downy mildews and powdery mildews