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Geranium phaeum ‘Lily Lovell’ (Cranesbill)

Geranium 'Lily Lovell' , Dusky Cranesbill 'Lily Lovell', 'Lily Lovell' Geranium, Mourning widow 'Lily Lovell'

Geranium Phaeum 'Lily Lovell', Geranium 'Lily Lovell' , Dusky Cranesbill 'Lily Lovell', 'Lily Lovell' Geranium, Mourning widow 'Lily Lovell', Purple Geranium, Best geraniums, Best groundcovers
Geranium Phaeum 'Lily Lovell', Geranium 'Lily Lovell' , Dusky Cranesbill 'Lily Lovell', 'Lily Lovell' Geranium, Mourning widow 'Lily Lovell', Purple Geranium, Best geraniums, Best groundcovers
Geranium Phaeum 'Lily Lovell', Geranium 'Lily Lovell' , Dusky Cranesbill 'Lily Lovell', 'Lily Lovell' Geranium, Mourning widow 'Lily Lovell', Purple Geranium, Best geraniums, Best groundcovers

Hardy and tall, Geranium phaeum ‘Lily Lovell’ (Dusky Cranesbill) is an exceptionally beautiful geranium with slightly reflexed, dusky purple flowers adorned with a white heart in late spring to early summer and with sporadic rebloom throughout the summer. Elegantly floating above a deeply lobed, bright green foliage, the flowers of this species are among the largest of the Geranium phaeum group with a 1.5 in. diameter (4 cm).

  • Clump-forming, this rhizomatous perennial reaches 18-30 in. in height (45-75 cm) and spreads 12-18 in. wide (30-45 cm). This sturdy performer is not only easy to grow, but it also requires very little maintenance and is pest and disease free!
  • Performs best in part shade, in average, medium to wet, well-drained soils. Unlike most species of geranium, this Dusky Geranium prefers shade and even tolerates almost full shade. Prefers moist, organic soils. Does not appreciate heat and humidity and foliage may decline in hot summer areas. It is attractive to butterflies but deer and rabbit resistant.
  • A perfect border plant, it is a spectacular addition to shade gardens, cottage gardens, woodland gardens, wild gardens and is ideal as groundcover or for underplantings.
  • May self-seed in optimum growing conditions if not deadheaded. If foliage declines after flowering, remove the flowering stems and trim the foliage for a neat appearance and to re-energize the plant.
  • Commonly called ‘Mourning Widow’ in reference to the dark color of its flowers, this species of Geranium is native to the woods and moist alpine meadows in Eurasia.

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 7
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 2B, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Geraniaceae
Genus Geranium
Common names Cranesbill
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 1' - 3'
(30cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 12" - 18"
(30cm - 50cm)
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, Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
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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

Euphorbia polychroma (Cushion Spurge)
Digitalis purpurea (Common Foxglove)
Centranthus ruber (Red Valerian)
Myosotis sylvatica (Wood Forget-Me-Not)
Dicentra spectabilis (Bleeding Heart)
Allium hollandicum ‘Purple Sensation’ (Ornamental Onion)
Aquilegia (Columbine)
Hosta (Plantain Lily)
Brunnera macrophylla (Siberian Bugloss)

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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 3 - 7
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 2B, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Geraniaceae
Genus Geranium
Common names Cranesbill
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 1' - 3'
(30cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 12" - 18"
(30cm - 50cm)
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, Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
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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