Geranium maculatum

WOOD CRANESBILL

Geranium maculatum
WOOD CRANESBILL

Geranium maculatum is one of the toughest and prettiest of all the Cranesbills – ideal for difficult spots in shaded gardens.

Big lilac saucers with creamy centres & darker veins 

Sprays of large, saucer-like blooms beam up over spring and early summer.
Geranium maculatum is one of the most showy, with amongst the largest flowers, of all the woodland Cranesbills.

A lovely sight in full bloom

So it is a sight when in full bloom, and especially when it is mass planted as a shade groundcover.
The large flowers are a pleasing shade of lilac-pink, with paler creamy centres and deeper pink veins.
And they are massed in abundance, all over the clump.
So the plants really are a lovely sight in full bloom.

Very decorative evergreen clump of large palm-like leaves

Just as the flowers on Geranium maculatum are larger than usual – so are the leaves.
So I would grow it for the large, handsome, palm-frond shaped leaves alone.
While the flowers are a colourful bonus in spring-early summer, the foliage delights all year round.

These leaves are big and beautiful

Leaves are big, and shaped like palm-fronds, heavily indented.
They form a showy evergreen clump to decorate a difficult shaded area all year round.

Indispensable for dry shaded areas & under trees & shrubs

Where ever you have a difficult shade spots – where it is too shaded for most flowering plants, or too dry for all but the toughest – Geranium maculatum is an excellent option.
It is indispensable for planting under large deciduous trees, or beside buildings where the sun cannot reach.
As it positively thrives in full shade that has some reflected light, or in dappled light and shade under taller plants.

Mass plant for an evergreen & showy shade groundcover

Geranium maculatum is an ideal choice as a low-maintenance groundcover for shaded areas.
So mass plant and enjoy, but with minimal fuss.
Approx. 50cm. high x 40cm. wide clumps of wonderful foliage.

Tolerates poorer soils & drought resistant once established

Geranium maculatum is an evergreen, tough and hardy perennial.
That does not need rich soil or lots of fertilizer to do well.

Water-wise & frost hardy

It is also a water-wise plant – thriving on average to minimal watering once established, especially if mulched, and shaded under trees and shrubs.
And it has excellent frost resistance.

Also tolerates summer humidity plus winter frost

The native habitat of Geranium maculatum is in woodlands across wide stretches of the North American continent – from the sub-tropical southern states to the snowy winter northern states, and even over into the wild-west.
So this accounts for its toughness and ability to cope with both frosty winters and summer humidity.

Resistant to rabbits, deer, slugs and snails

Nothing seems to chew on Geranium maculatum for preference.
So the plants usually retain their handsome, dome shape foliage clump without any blemishes.
It is also rarely if ever troubled by any pests and diseases – it is a bone fide low-care, low maintenance plant.

Low maintenance & easy care

Time-poor gardeners find Geranium maculatum very useful for difficult shaded areas.
Where both the large flowers and highly decorative clumps make a great show – but with minimal work.
Clumps do not need dead-heading or pruning to remain neat, and thrive on a minimum of attention.

Bees & busy pollinators love the flowers

Bees and other busy pollinators love the nectar rich flowers, while our chewing foes like rabbits and snails leave them alone.

Native American Indian herbal medicine

Many different tribes of First Nations Americans used Geranium maculatum for its medicinal properties.
It was widely considered as an astringent to stop bleeding wounds, and some tribes prepared the roots to help toothache and haemorrhoids..

SEED SOWING ADVICE: Germinates in the cool

Seeds are best sown in autumn or early winter, to use the cold of winter for germination.

Sow seed indoors in a punnet for quicker response: First sow the seeds in a punnet on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Then cover the seeds only lightly with fine sieved seed mix or fine vermiculite.
Do not bury deeply as these seeds need light to germinate.

Now thoroughly moisten the punnet by standing it in a shallow water bath, and allowing the moisture to percolate up to the surface of the mix from below. This will ensure the mix is thoroughly moist but not drenched.

Label the punnet with the name and date sown.

Seeds love the winter cold

Now wrap the moist, sown punnet in cling-wrap or a plastic bag, and place in the fridge (not freezer) for 8 weeks.
This will mimic winter nicely.

Then remove, unwrap, re-moisten and place in a cool, but well-lit position (but with no direct sunlight).

Because temperatures of approx. 10-15°C are best for optimum germination now.
So timing your sowing to best use the cool weather is important.

Continue to keep the punnet consistently moist by misting from a spray water bottle regularly.
Covering the punnet with a clear plastic cover, plastic bag, or glass also helps to maintain consistent moisture and prevent drying out.
Remove the cover once germination has started, so the emerging seedlings have good light and air.

If you need to place the punnet outdoors for cool temperatures – then make sure you cover the punnet with wire or shade cloth so the seeds are protected from birds and mice.
The seeds will not mind cold nights.

Seeds begin to germinate in approx. 30 days.

But do not throw out the punnet too quickly, as it is natural for these seeds to germinate irregularly over a period of time during cold weather. Patience.

Direct sow in the garden: Or sow seeds directly in the garden in autumn and leave to get the required chilling from winter and nature, before they germinate in the spring.
They will not mind frosty nights.

Seed Count: 3 seeds per packet. (Seed of this beauty is scarce)

Click here for Nursery Open Days & Open Gardens Information
https://www.gardivalia.com.au/open-gardens

Click here to go back to Seeds Shop
https://www.seedscape.net.au/shop/