Geranium phaeum (also called dusky cranesbill and mourning widow)
Geranium
phaeum
Hardy perennial grown for attractive leaves and flowers. Useful ground cover in shady, dry areas so good for planting under trees and around the base of shrubs..
Flowers in summer and autumn.
Habit – rather lax clumps of upright stems. H: 75cm, S: 45cm.
Leaves – alternate, palmate with serrated edges. Mid-green with purplish-brown markings. Soft texture.
Stem – pale green, lax and thin.
Flowers – dark purple flowers with reflexed petals borne in late spring. Followed by long pointed seed heads.
Full sun or partial shade.
Well drained, light.
Hardy.
In midsummer rejuvenate plants that are beginning to look jaded by removing old flowered stems and leaves - this will encourage a second flush of flowering. Lift and divide large colonies in spring.
Semi-ripe cuttings in summer, by seed or division in autumn or spring.
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