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Geranium x magnificum (Purple Cranesbill)

Purple Cranesbill, Showy Cranesbill

AGM Award
Geranium x Magnificum,Geranium Magnificum, Purple Cranesbill, Showy Cranesbill, Hardy Geranium, Blue Geranium, Purple Geranium
Geranium x Magnificum,Geranium Magnificum, Purple Cranesbill, Showy Cranesbill, Hardy Geranium, Blue Geranium, Purple Geranium
Geranium x Magnificum,Geranium Magnificum, Purple Cranesbill, Showy Cranesbill, Hardy Geranium, Blue Geranium, Purple Geranium

A truly magnificent sight in the early to mid-summer garden, award-winning Geranium x magnificum (Purple Cranesbill) is a hybrid hardy geranium forming dense mounds of large, 2 in. wide (5 cm), rich violet-blue, heavily veined, saucer-shaped flowers atop a velvety, deeply-lobed foliage that turns red in fall. While the flowering season of this geranium is fairly short (a couple of weeks), it is so intense and stunning that, coupled with this fall color interest, a garden spot should be dedicated to it. Particularly attractive with Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla mollis) and Peonies (Paeonia).

  • Clump-forming and vigorous, this deciduous perennial reaches 24-30 in. in height and spread (60-75 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, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. Prefers moist, humusy soils, especially in hot summer areas. Drought tolerant, once established, it is attractive to butterflies but deer and rabbit resistant.
  • A perfect border plant, it is a spectacular addition to beds, borders, groundcover, cottage gardens, rock gardens, and underplanting roses and shrubs. Add the pretty flowers of this geranium to your salads or decorate your cakes!
  • Won the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
  • Purple Cranesbill is generally not subject to serious pest or disease issues. Watch for vine weevil larvae, Geranium sawfly larvae, capsid bug, slugs, and snails. Powdery mildew in dry conditions may be troublesome.
  • Geranium x magnificum is a hybrid of Geranium Ibericum and Geranium Platypetalum.
  • Remove flowered stems and old leaves to encourage the production of fresh leaves and flowers. New foliage quickly appears if cut down after flowering. If your plant becomes leggy or flops with age, cut it back to basal foliage to rejuvenate.
  • Propagate by division between early fall and early spring or cut back plants after flowering in summer, then divide, replant and water thoroughly.

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 2, 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 Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid)
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 24" - 30"
(60cm - 80cm)
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 Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, 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

Paeonia ‘Buckeye Belle’ (Peony)
Paeonia lactiflora ‘Lady Alexandra Duff’ (Peony)
Paeonia lactiflora ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ (Peony)
Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ (Sage)
Alchemilla mollis (Lady’s Mantle)
Allium hollandicum ‘Purple Sensation’ (Ornamental Onion)
Iris germanica (Bearded Iris)
Papaver orientale (Oriental Poppy)
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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 5 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 2, 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 Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid)
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 24" - 30"
(60cm - 80cm)
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 Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, 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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