Geranium psilostemon (Armenian Cranesbill)
Armenian Cranesbill, Geranium Armenum
One of the largest hardy species, award-winning Geranium psilostemon (Armenian Cranesbill) is quite eye-catching with its large magenta cup-shaped flowers, up to 1.5 in. wide (4 cm), with black centers and dark veining, rising atop broad, exotic fan-shaped leaves that turn red in fall. Putting on a great show from late spring to late summer, this hardy Geranium is reliable, easy to grow, and provides long-lasting color for any garden. Particularly attractive with pink roses or peonies or with silver foliage plants such as Artemisia or Stachys.
- Clump-forming, this deciduous perennial reaches 3-4 ft. in height and spread (90-120 cm) and requires very little maintenance!
- Won the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society (1993)
- Performs best in full sun or part shade, in moderately fertile, well-drained soils. Full shade is tolerated. This plant is not fussy about soils provided they are well-drained. Staking may be required if grown by itself. A good alternative would be to combine this Geranium with roses, peonies or other shrubs to provide support. Attractive to butterflies!
- A perfect border plant, it is a spectacular addition to beds, borders, banks and slopes, groundcover, cottage gardens, city gardens, underplanting roses and shrubs. Great in containers too!
- Armenian Cranesbill is generally not subject to serious pest or disease issues. Watch for vine weevil, sawflies, slugs and snails 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. Self-seeds sparingly.
- Geranium psilostemon is the prolific parent of many popular hybrids including:
Geranium 'Ann Folkard' - treasured for its long season of interest beginning with golden spring leaves and extending well into fall with rich magenta, black veined flowers.
Geranium 'Anne Thomson' - resemble 'Ann Folkard' but has a rather more compact form.
Geranium 'Bressingham Flair' - elegant mounds of deeply cut, broad leaves covered by black-eyed lilac-pink flowers.
Geranium 'Patricia' - one of the longest-blooming of the hardy geraniums with striking, black-centered magenta flowers from late spring until late summer.
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Requirements
Hardiness | 4
– 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 5
– 8 |
Climate Zones | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Geranium - Cranesbills |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) |
Height | 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm) |
Spread | 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm) |
Spacing | 36" – 48" (90cm – 120cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
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 | Deer, Rabbit |
Attracts | Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Ground Covers, Patio and Containers, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage |
Top picture is courtesy of Chanticleer Garden - Lisa Roper
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.
Requirements
Hardiness | 4
– 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 5
– 8 |
Climate Zones | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Geranium - Cranesbills |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) |
Height | 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm) |
Spread | 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm) |
Spacing | 36" – 48" (90cm – 120cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
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 | Deer, Rabbit |
Attracts | Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Ground Covers, Patio and Containers, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage |