Advanced Search Filters

Plant Type
Hardiness Zone
Heat Zone
Sunset Zone
Function
Sun Exposure
Soil Moisture
Water Requirement

Geranium wallichianum

Image of Geranium wallichianum

Blooms of Bressingham

Family

Geraniaceae

Botanical Name

Geranium wallichianum

Plant Common Name

Wallich Cranesbill

Special Notice

This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.

General Description

Handsomely lobed light green leaves and lavender to violet-pink flowers that occur from summer to fall are the assets of Wallich cranesbill. This trailing, low herbaceous perennial is native to the Himalayan highlands from northeastern Afghanistan to India's Kashmir region. Loosely borne on upright stems from midsummer to fall's frost, the cupped, five-petaled flowers range from lavender-lilac to violet-purple with a white center. They then form the central beak-like seedpod characteristic of Geranium. The bright green leaves are round and wrinkled with three to five lobes, attaining shades of red and orange in autumn.

Grow Wallich cranesbill in full or partial sun and average garden soils that are moist with good drainage. This species is tolerant of slightly alkaline soils and mild droughts especially if soils are rich in organic matter. As its long taproot does not transplant well and the trailing stems do not root on the soil, propagation is best by seed. Use this low, training perennial in the mixed border's foreground in masses as a frilly, loose groundcover. It looks nice spilling over rocks and retaining walls or the edges of large containers.

Blue flowers highlight the selection 'Buxton's Variety' ('Buxton's Blue') and magenta-pink flowers with more prominent violet veins are known on 'Syabru'. Both cultivars have white flower centers. Fuchsia-pink flowers with a large white center that's streaked by dark purple veins make 'Sylvia's Surprise" a pretty garden addition, too.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    8 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    6 - 9

  • Sunset Zone

    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Perennial

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade

  • Height

    10"-12" / 25.4cm - 30.5cm

  • Width

    3'-4' / 0.9m - 1.2m

  • Bloom Time

    Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall

  • Native To

    Central Asia, India, Nepal

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Average

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Prostrate/Trailing

  • Seasonal Interest

    Summer, Fall

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White, Pink, Fuchsia, Lavender

  • Flower Color Modifier

    Bicolor

  • Fruit Color

    Tan, Sandy Brown

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Light Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green, Light Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Red, Orange, Yellow Green, Orange Red

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    Yes

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    Yes

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    No

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Container, Groundcover, Hanging Basket, Mixed Border

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes