Geranium wallichianum
purple-vein geranium
Overview
Geranium wallichianum is a low, spreading perennial that forms loose, trailing mounds 8-20 inches (20-50 cm) tall and 24-48 inches (60-120 cm) wide, with branching stems radiating from a central crown. Leaves are deeply five-lobed, 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) across, mid-green and sometimes marbled, on long stalks, with toothed lobes. From midsummer into autumn the plant carries saucer-shaped flowers 1-1.6 inches (2.5-4 cm) across, in shades of blue-purple to pink, each with a white centre and dark radiating veins and pale stamens. Flowers open in succession over a long season. The fruit is a beaked capsule that flings seed when ripe. The stems sprawl through and over neighbouring plants rather than standing upright, and they die back to the crown in winter. It grows in cool, moist conditions and can scorch or stop flowering in hot, dry sites.
Native Range
Native to the western Himalaya, from Afghanistan and Pakistan through northern India to Kashmir and Nepal. Grows in open woodland, scrub, forest clearings, and shady banks on moist, humus-rich soils at 6,000-12,000 feet (1,800-3,700 m). Widely grown in temperate gardens and the parent of several garden hybrids.Suggested Uses
Planted at the front of borders, on banks, and in containers and raised beds where the trailing stems can spill over edges, spaced 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) apart. Used as ground cover that weaves through other perennials. Grows in containers of at least 3 gallons (11 L) with steady moisture.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 1'8"
Width/Spread2' - 4'
Bloom Information
Flowers from July to October, continuing until the first hard frost in mild autumns. The saucer-shaped flowers open a few at a time over a long season and are pollinated by bees and hoverflies. Light shearing in midseason renews flowering after a midsummer lull.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
blue-purple to pink with white centreFoliage Description
mid-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun to partial shade on moist, fertile, well-drained soils, and flowers more freely with afternoon shade in hot climates. Establishes within a season and spreads by trailing stems rather than running roots. Tolerates short dry spells once established but scorches and stops flowering in prolonged heat and drought. Cutting the plant back by half after the first flush renews fresh growth and bloom. Slugs feed on young shoots in spring. Crowns rot in wet, poorly drained winter soils, and plants are longer-lived where drainage is sharp.Pruning
Cut the whole plant back by about half after the first flush of bloom to remove tired stems and bring on fresh growth and flowers. Remaining stems are cut to the crown in late autumn or early spring. Plants left untrimmed become straggly and flower less in late summer.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summerfall
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons