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Geranium maderense (Cranesbill)

Giant Herb Robert, Madeira Island Geranium

Geranium maderense, Giant Herb Robert, Madeira Island Geranium, Hardy Geraniums, Best geraniums, Best Border Geranium, purple geranium, violet geranium

The largest Geranium species and regarded by many as the most spectacular of all species, award-winning Geranium maderense is a robust evergreen perennial or biennial forming a mound of large, palmately dissected dark green leaves, up to 8 in. long (20 cm) at the end of fleshy reddish stems. In spring, a huge bouquet of showy purplish-pink flowers adorned with dark centers and illuminated by pale veins, rise well above the attractive foliage. Their flowering stems and sepals are covered with brilliant hairs that catch the light and trap insects. Flowering usually starts in year two, but the dramatic foliage of Madeira Cranesbill is worth the wait. Short-lived and often grown as a biennial, this is a desirable plant for mild winter gardens and a real show-stopper.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
  • Grow up to 4-5 ft. tall and wide (120-150 cm). Although this plant dies after flowering, it self-sows profusely and remains in the garden. The seedlings are easy to remove.
  • Performs best in full sun or part shade, in well-drained soils. Full shade tolerant. This plant is not fussy about soils provided they are well-drained. Keep in a frost-free environment over winter.
  • Perfect addition to beds, borders, cottage gardens, and Mediterranean gardens.
  • This Geranium is generally pest-free. Watch for powdery mildew and downy mildew
  • Remove flowered stems and old leaves to encourage the production of fresh leaves and flowers. Propagate by seed, division or take basal cuttings
  • Native to Madeira.

Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 9
Heat Zones 8 - 9
Climate Zones 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Geraniaceae
Genus Geranium
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height 4' - 5'
(120cm - 150cm)
Spread 4' - 5'
(120cm - 150cm)
Spacing 60" (150cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Full Shade
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Geranium carolinianum, Carolina Geranium, Wild Geranium, Carolina Cranesbill, Hardy Geraniums, Hardy Geraniums, Pink Geranium, Pink Cranesbill
Geranium viscosissimum, Sticky Purple Geranium, Sticky Wild Geranium, Hardy Geraniums, Purple Geranium, Purple Cranesbill
Geranium Pratense, Cranesbill 'Kashmir White', Geranium pratense 'Kashmir White', Geranium pratense 'Rectum Album', Geranium rectum 'Album', Geranium 'Kashmir White',Hardy Geranium, White Geranium
Geranium Sanguineum 'Max Frei', Bloody Cranesbill 'Max Frei', Bloody Geranium 'Max Frei', Hardy Geranium 'Max Frei', Purple Geranium, Purple Flowers
Geranium Pratense 'Midnight Reiter',  Geranium pratense 'Dark Reiter', Geranium 'Night Reiter', 'Midnight Reiter' Geranium, Meadow Cranesbill 'Midnight Reiter', Cranesbill 'Midnight Reiter', Hardy Geranium 'Midnight Reiter', Dark Geranium, Best geraniums, Best groundcovers
Geranium 'Wargrave Pink', Hardy Geranium Wargrave Pink, Cranesbill 'Wargrave Pink', Geranium Endressii 'Wargrave Pink', Geranium x Oxonianum 'Wargrave', Geranium 'Wargrave Pink', Best geraniums, Best groundcovers, pink geranium, salmon geranium

Recommended Companion Plants

Lupinus 'Masterpiece', Lupine 'Masterpiece', Lupin 'Masterpiece', Band of Noble Series, Russel Hybrids, Bicolor flowers, Purple Flowers, Mauve Flowers
Geum 'Prinses Juliana', 'Prinses Juliana' Avens, Orange Geum, Orange Avens, Orange Flowers
Verbascum 'Jackie', 'Jackie' Mullein, Verbascum 'Jacky', cream flowers, Orange flowers, Yellow flowers, Architectural plants, Vertical Plants, Deer Tolerant perennials,
Salvia Nemorosa Caradonna, Salvia Caradonna, Sage Caradonna, award-winning salvia, Balkan Clary Caradonna, Steppe sage Caradonna, Salvia x Sylvestris 'Caradonna'
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 8 - 9
Heat Zones 8 - 9
Climate Zones 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Geraniaceae
Genus Geranium
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height 4' - 5'
(120cm - 150cm)
Spread 4' - 5'
(120cm - 150cm)
Spacing 60" (150cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Full Shade
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Learn Now
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Geranium
Guides with
Geranium
Not sure which Geranium to pick?
Compare Now

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