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Geranium sylvaticum

wood crane's-bill

Geraniaceae Europe and temperate Asia

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 3–8

Overview

Geranium sylvaticum is an upright clump-forming herbaceous perennial in the geranium family, growing 12-30 inches (30-75 cm) tall and 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) wide. The deeply cut palmate leaves are 3-6 inches (8-15 cm) across, divided into five to seven toothed lobes, mid green, and form a dense basal mound. From late spring into mid summer it carries open, saucer-shaped flowers 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) across in violet-blue to red-purple, each with five rounded petals and a pale white center around the stamens. After flowering the seed capsules form the long beaked shape that gives crane's-bills their name and fling their seed when ripe. The plant grows in damp meadows, open woodland, and mountain grassland across its range, in cool, moist conditions rather than hot, dry ones. It forms tidy clumps that need little division and works in borders and naturalized plantings. The main flush of bloom is concentrated in early summer rather than spread across the season.

Native Range

Geranium sylvaticum is native to Europe and temperate Asia, from the British Isles and Scandinavia through the mountains of central and southern Europe into Siberia, growing in damp meadows, open woods, and subalpine grassland.

Suggested Uses

Grown in cottage gardens, mixed borders, woodland edges, and naturalized meadow plantings, spaced 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) apart. It combines with roses, grasses, and other perennials and fills the front to middle of a border. The early-summer flowers draw bees and other pollinators.

How to Identify

Identify wood crane's-bill by its mound of deeply cut palmate leaves with five to seven toothed lobes and its upright stems 12-30 inches (30-75 cm) tall. The saucer-shaped flowers 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) across are violet-blue to red-purple with a pale white center. The beaked seed capsules that follow split and fling the seed when ripe.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 2'6"

Width/Spread1'6" - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering runs from late spring into mid summer, generally May to July, with the heaviest display in early summer. The flowers draw bees and hoverflies. Plants cut back after the first flush sometimes produce a lighter second showing later in summer.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

violet-blue to red-purple with white center

Foliage Description

mid green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Geranium sylvaticum grows in full sun to partial shade in fertile, moisture-retentive soil with a pH around 5.5-7.5. It grows well in cool summers and even moisture and tends to flag in prolonged heat and drought. Steady moisture during the growing season keeps the foliage fresh, and a position with afternoon shade helps in warmer regions. Plants form clumps slowly and rarely need division, though they can be lifted and split in spring or fall. Cutting the plant back after the first bloom tidies the mound and can prompt fresh leaves and a few late flowers. Hardy in USDA zones 3-8.

Pruning

Pruning is limited to a shear-back after the main flush of bloom, which removes tired foliage and spent flower stems and encourages a flush of new leaves. Old foliage is cleared in late fall or early spring. No other routine pruning is needed.