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Geranium pratense ‘Plenum Violaceum’ (Meadow Cranesbill)

Meadow Cranesbill 'Plenum Violaceum', Geranium pratense 'Flore Pleno', Geranium pratense 'Plenum Purpureum', Geranium pratense var. Flore-Pleno

AGM Award
Geranium Pratense 'Plenum Violaceum', Meadow Cranesbill 'Plenum Violaceum', Geranium Pratense 'Flore Pleno', Geranium Pratense 'Plenum Purpureum', Geranium Pratense var. Flore-Pleno', Purple Geranium, Best geraniums, Best groundcovers

An exquisite double-flowered variety of Meadow Cranesbill, award-winning Geranium pratense ‘Plenum Violaceum’ is incredibly beautiful. It forms dense mounds of jaggedly-lobed, dark green leaves, topped in late spring – midsummer with profuse and very attractive, double violet-blue blossoms, 1.5 in. wide (4 cm), delicately flushed purple at their heart. Long-lasting, the flowers are sterile and do not set seed. Mix this Hardy Geranium with Geranium cinereum ‘Ballerina’ and Viola cornuta to create a charming edging for a sunny path!

  • Won the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
  • Clump-forming and vigorous, this deciduous perennial reaches 24 in. in height and spread (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 moderately fertile, well-drained soils. Full shade is tolerated, but not preferred. Drought tolerant once established it is attractive to butterflies but deer resistant.
  • A perfect border plant, it is a spectacular addition to beds, borders, cottage gardens, city gardens, underplanting roses, and shrubs and is an excellent choice as a groundcover.
  • Fairly pest and disease free but watch for vine weevil, capsid bug, sawflies, and powdery mildew
  • Remove flowered stems and old leaves to encourage the production of fresh leaves and flowers. Propagate by division in spring or propagate by basal cuttings in early to mid-spring and root with bottom heat.

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 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
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early, Mid)
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 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 Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, City and Courtyard
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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

Eremurus x isabellinus ‘Cleopatra’ (Foxtail Lily)
Paeonia ‘Paula Fay’ (Peony)
Digitalis purpurea (Common Foxglove)
Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii (Mediterranean Spurge)
Rosa Princess Anne (English Rose)
Gladiolus communis subsp. byzantinus (Byzantine Gladiolus)
Eryngium x zabelii ‘Big Blue’ (Sea Holly)
Astrantia major ‘Roma’ (Great Masterwort)
Nepeta racemosa ‘Walker’s Low’ (Catmint)
Alchemilla mollis (Lady’s Mantle)
Papaver orientale (Oriental Poppy)

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 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 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
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early, Mid)
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 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 Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, City and Courtyard
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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