Geranium

macrorrhizum

AROMATIC PINK CRANESBILLS

Geranium macrorrhizum
AROMATIC PINK CRANESBILLS

Geranium macrorrhizum makes a very pretty show for a long period.

Mass of rose pink blossoms

Tough little Geranium macrorrhizum puts on a great show of rose-pink blossoms for ages over the warm months.
Blooming commences spring, continues into summer, with repeats in autumn.

Deliciously aromatic foliage

But probably the deliciously aromatic foliage is even more valuable in the garden.

Dense groundcover with the scent of Geranium oil

Because it makes a lovely dense, evergreen groundcover with the fresh scent of Geranium Oil all year round.
It is a very hardy, evergreen plant.

Plant an aromatic border

So plant Geranium macrorrhizum along the edge of a path, or at the front of a bed where you can enjoy it to the full.

Don’t miss an opportunity to pluck a leaf

Don’t miss an opportunity to brush the foliage or pluck a leaf to tuck in your sleeve (or elsewhere).
The ladies of Spain pluck the leaves to rub on their skins and tuck in their bosoms during the hot days of summer.

Happy under trees & shrubs

Geranium macrorrhizum enjoys Shade, Dappled Sun to Full Sun, and is perfectly happy under trees and shrubs.
So it is invaluable as a groundcover under trees and shrubs, or edging a shaded path

Handy for tough dry spots in shade

It is so handy for those tough, more dry spots under trees and shrubs, where so many other things turn up their toes.
And it tolerates quite deep shade, as well as more open positions, and still blooms its head off.

Water-wise

Geranium macrorrhizum is robustly dry hardy, and needs only minimal extra water over summer.

Very frost hardy

Tough Geranium macrorrhizum can tolerate frost down to -30°C. – that is one great-grandaddy of a frost, never seen here.

Winter colour

And it gets even prettier in frosty winters, as the foliage colours up with red, raspberry and wine shades.

Rabbits won’t touch it

Geranium macrorrhizum is robustly rabbit resistant.
Because the nasty “varmits” do not like the taste of all the Geranium oil in the strongly aromatic leaves.

Commercial crop for perfumery

On the other hand, Geranium macrorrhizum is lovingly grown as a commercial crop.
Because the foliage is harvested to extract fragrant Geranium oil.
Which is used in quality perfumery, soap making and cosmetics.

Long lived

Once established – you will enjoy Geranium macrorrhizum all year round, for many many years.

Very hardy evergreen perennial

30cm High vivid mass of rose-pink flowers x 75cm Wide dense carpet of aromatic evergreen foliage.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: Warm-cold-warm

Sow seeds in a punnet indoors winter, spring or autumn, whenever suitable temperatures can be provided (15-20 °C).
OR
Sow directly in the garden in late winter-early spring.

Sow indoors for optimum germination: Sow seeds in a punnet on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Then press the seeds gently to the surface of the mix to ensure good contact.
And barely cover the seeds with sieved mix / grit/ fine vermiculite.

Now thoroughly moisten the punnet by standing it in a shallow water bath.
And allow the moisture to percolate up to the surface of the mix from below.

Place the moist punnet in a warm, well-lit position (But not in any direct sunlight – as this will dry out the seeds and prevent germination).
Temperatures of 15-20 °C are ideal for this part of the procedure.

Continue to keep the punnet moist for 2-4 weeks.
By misting it regularly from a spray water-bottle.
Covering the punnet with a clear plastic cover or bag, will also help to retain necessary consistent moisture.

After 2-4 weeks of warmth, now wrap the moist punnet in cling wrap & place in fridge (not freezer) for 4-6 weeks.
Then remove from fridge, unwrap punnet & return to warm, well-lit place at 15-20 °C.

Continue to keep consistently moist.
Make sure to remove clear cover as soon as sprouts show.

Most seedlings should emerge in approx. 30 to 90 days.
But do not discard punnet, as some seedlings may come later.

Prick out into pots as soon as seedlings develop their first set of true eaves.
And grow on for garden planting.

Seed Count: 15 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

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