Meadow Geranium

(Geranium pratense)

Meadow Geranium (Geranium pratense)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Geranium pratense, commonly known as Meadow Geranium, is a deciduous perennial herb native to meadows, grasslands, and open woodlands across Europe, and Asia.. It forms a clump approximately 1 meter (3.3 feet) in height and width. The plant features hairy stems and loose clusters of saucer-shaped, pale violet flowers that bloom from late spring to early summer. The leaves are deeply divided into 7-9 lobes, each 3-6 inches wide, and the flowers are pale blue with veins, fading to paler shades towards the center. The stamens have pink-purple stalks with dark purple anthers, adding to the plant’s ornamental value. Meadow Geranium is extremely hardy, tolerating temperatures down to at least −20 °C (−4 °F).

Meadow Geranium is valued for its ease of maintenance and the beautiful, long-lasting display of flowers that attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. It is used in borders, cottage gardens, and as ground cover. The plant thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil, but is adaptable to various soil conditions. ’Mrs. Kendall Clark’ and ’Plenum violaceum’ are popular cultivars that have received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. While generally disease-resistant, Meadow Geranium can suffer from rust and mildew in humid conditions. It is also important to note that it can self-seed prolifically, potentially becoming invasive in some garden settings.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Herb
  • Height: 2-3 feet
  • Width: 2-3 feet
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Flower Color: Blue
  • Flowering Season: Summer
  • Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
  • Water: Medium
  • Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast

Common Uses

Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Fragrant, Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Meadows, grasslands, and open woodlands across Europe, Asia, and North Africa

Other Names

Common Names: Meadow Crane’s-Bill, Eng-Storkenæb, Wiesen-Storchschnabel, Kykäkurjenpolvi, Géranium Des Prés, Engstorkenebb, Beemdooievaarsbek, Ängsnäva

Scientific Names: , Geranium pratense, Geranium pratense subsp. sergievskajae, Geranium transbaicalicum, Geranium pratense subsp. stewartianum, Geranium transbaicalicum subsp. turczaninovii, Geranium pratense subsp. pratense, Geranium sergievskajae, Geranium affine, Geranium pratense var. albiflorum

GBIF Accepted Name: Geranium pratense L.