Geranium pratense
meadow cranesbill
A hardy perennial with strong upright stems and deeply cut green leaves, this plant brings weeks of summer colour to borders and wildflower-style plantings. Saucer-shaped blooms appear from early to mid-summer in shades of violet, blue, or occasionally white, each flower attracting bees and other pollinators. Plants form dense clumps that sit well among other herbaceous perennials.
Geranium pratense is very adaptable, thriving in full sun or partial shade and coping with a wide range of soils, provided they are reasonably well drained. Once established it needs little maintenance beyond cutting back spent stems to tidy growth and encourage fresh foliage. Long-lived and extremely hardy, it is an excellent choice for naturalistic borders, cottage gardens, or meadow-style schemes where reliable colour and pollinator value are key.
Geranium pratense is very adaptable, thriving in full sun or partial shade and coping with a wide range of soils, provided they are reasonably well drained. Once established it needs little maintenance beyond cutting back spent stems to tidy growth and encourage fresh foliage. Long-lived and extremely hardy, it is an excellent choice for naturalistic borders, cottage gardens, or meadow-style schemes where reliable colour and pollinator value are key.
How to care for Geranium pratense:
Plant in full sun or partial shade in moist but well-drained soil, where it will settle in and flower reliably each summer. Once established it becomes lower maintenance, though watering in prolonged dry spells helps maintain growth.
Cut back faded flower stems after the first flush to encourage fresh foliage and sometimes a second, lighter wave of blooms. In autumn, remove old growth to keep the clump tidy, and divide mature plants every few years to reinvigorate them and maintain strong flowering.
Cut back faded flower stems after the first flush to encourage fresh foliage and sometimes a second, lighter wave of blooms. In autumn, remove old growth to keep the clump tidy, and divide mature plants every few years to reinvigorate them and maintain strong flowering.
Sowing instructions:
Sow in trays or pots from late winter to early spring (February–April), using a free-draining seed compost. Lightly cover the seed and keep it in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse, as a period of cold helps break dormancy.
Germination can be slow and erratic, so be patient and keep the compost moist but not waterlogged. Seedlings can be pricked out and grown on until large enough to plant into borders in late spring or early summer.
Germination can be slow and erratic, so be patient and keep the compost moist but not waterlogged. Seedlings can be pricked out and grown on until large enough to plant into borders in late spring or early summer.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
0.9m
Eventual spread:
0.6m
Position:
Full sun / light shade
Rate of growth:
Average
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness:
Fully hardy
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This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
approx 100 seeds
was £2.79
now £2.09
available to order from autumn
Unavailable
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