General Culture:
Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Best performance generally occurs in moist, organically rich soils in full sun. Foliage tends to produce best purple color in full sun. Plants may appreciate some part afternoon shade in hot summer climates such as the St. Louis area. Tall stems may need staking or other support. Plants generally dislike hot and humid summers and are not recommended for growing south of USDA Zone 7. This cultivar reportedly will self-seed.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
Geranium pretense, commonly called meadow cranesbill, is native to Europe, central Asia and China. It is a clump-forming perennial that features blue-purple flowers in dense cymes and green basal leaves deeply cut into 7-9 toothed lobes. Cultivars feature flower colors in white, blue, violet and purple. Flowers bloom from late spring to early summer. Species plants grow 24-36” tall. Victor Reiter Junior strain is a more compact cultivar that is noted for its blue-purple flowers and purplish foliage. It typically grows to 15-24” tall and as wide. Leaves emerge purplish in spring, gradually changing to dark green with purple-hued edges by summer. Blue-purple, saucer-shaped flowers (to 1.5” diameter) bloom in May-July. Sparse late summer and/or fall rebloom may occur.
Problems:
No serious insect or disease problems.
Uses:
Group or mass in borders, rock gardens or cottage gardens.
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2010
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