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Geranium himalayense (Lilac Cranesbill)

Lilac Cranesbill, Himalayan Crane's Bill, Geranium himalayense Alpinum , Geranium Grandiflorum, Himalayan Cranesbill, Geranium Meeboldii, Geranium himalayense var. Meeboldii

Geranium Himalayense, Lilac Cranesbill, Himalayan Crane's Bill, Geranium Himalayense Alpinum , Geranium Grandiflorum, Himalayan Cranesbill, Geranium Meeboldii, Geranium Himalayense var. Meeboldii, Best geraniums, Best groundcovers, Blue geranium, Purple g

Forming dense, spreading mounds of neatly cut leaves, Geranium himalayense, commonly known as Lilac Cranesbill, produces dainty, yet very large, cup-shaped flowers, elegantly borne on long stems, in shades of violet, indigo, and blue from early to mid-summer. Compact, its foliage remains attractive throughout the growing season and makes it useful as a low ground cover. Turning showy reddish-orange in fall, it creates a pretty contrast.

  • Clump-forming and vigorous, this deciduous perennial reaches 9-18 in. in height (22-45 cm) and spreads 12-24 in. wide (30-60 cm). This sturdy performer is not only easy to grow, but it also requires very little maintenance!
  • Performs best in full sun or part shade, in average, moist, well-drained soils. Tolerates full shade. Don’t let the soil dry out! Native to the Himalayas, this Geranium likes cool locations.
  • A perfect border plant, it is a spectacular addition to beds, borders, cottage gardens, or underplanting roses and shrubs.
  • Main cultivars are:
    Geranium ‘Birch Double’ or ‘Plenum’: 16 in. tall plants (40 cm) with double, blue-tinted violet blooms with attractive dark veining.
    Geranium ‘Gravetye‘: 20 in. tall plants (50 cm) with large violet-blue blooms with red-ringed white centers. AGM award of RHS
    Geranium ‘Irish Blue’: 18 in. tall plants (45 cm) with pale blue blooms with violet central markings.

 

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 7
Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Geraniaceae
Genus Geranium
Common names Cranesbill
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid)
Height 9" - 2'
(23cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Full Shade, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’ (Cranesbill)
Geranium carolinianum (Carolina Geranium)
Geranium viscosissimum (Sticky Purple Geranium)
Geranium clarkei ‘Kashmir White’ (Cranesbill)
Geranium sanguineum ‘Max Frei’ (Bloody Cranesbill)
Geranium x oxonianum ‘Miss Heidi’ (Cranesbill)

Recommended Companion Plants

Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata ‘Nora Barlow’ (Columbine)
Panicum virgatum ‘Cloud Nine’ (Switch Grass)
Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’ (Purple Fountain Grass)
Alchemilla mollis (Lady’s Mantle)
Dahlia ‘Bishop of Llandaff’

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 7
Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Geraniaceae
Genus Geranium
Common names Cranesbill
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid)
Height 9" - 2'
(23cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Full Shade, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Geranium (Cranesbill)
Not sure which Geranium (Cranesbill) to pick?
Compare Now

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