Geranium yoshinoi

TOKYO CRANESBILL GROUNDCOVER

Geranium yoshinoi
TOKYO CRANESBILL GROUNDCOVER

Geranium yoshinoi is the perfect answer as a tough groundcover under trees and shrubs – ideal for difficult spots in shaded gardens.

Ideal groundcover for tough spots in shaded gardens

This tough shade-lover is a native of forests and woodlands in Japan.
So with these credentials it can boast some very useful and hardy qualities.

Blooms with colour even in heavier shade

Flowers are pink, with a darker veined eye, and sit jauntily above the pretty, groundcover carpet of thick foliage.
Geranium yoshinoi is perfectly adapted to cover even quite dense shade and under big trees.
And although each flower is quite dainty, there are plenty of them for a long time.

Long blooming in shade

Blooms spangle the foliage for many months as a procession of pink cups.
Flowering from mid-spring, through summer, and on into autumn.

Attractive & weed suppressing groundcover foliage

Leaves are prettily cut and scalloped, naturally forming a weed suppressing carpet.
The plant relaxes over the ground with long arms, with plenty of leaf coverage.
So Geranium yoshinoi can be left to gently wander under the trees and fill in the gaps.

Copes with dry shaded areas better than most

Not many plants will flower for months in drier, low light-level areas – but Geranium yoshinoi is very capable once established, and able to cope with limited water.
Though it is does not enjoy complete drought, it can certainly cope with modest watering only, as long as it has the shade it loves.

Frost hardy in winter & humidity hardy in summer 

Fortunately the hot, humid summers and very cold winters of Japan, make Geranium Yoshinoi a very versatile grower.
That can cope in a wide range of climates, from sub-tropical to cold climate areas.

Geranium yoshinoi for dry shaded areas & under trees & shrubs

It is indispensable for planting under large 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.

Low maintenance shade groundcover

Geranium yoshinoi is an ideal choice as a low-maintenance shade groundcover, with minimal fuss or work.
Approx. 15-30cm. high in pink flowers x 70cm. wide clumps of attractive foliage.
This hardy perennial never needs pruning, and is rarely if ever troubled by pests and diseases – so quite happy to be left to get on with its ground-covering job.

Resistant to rabbits, deer, slugs and snails

Nothing seems to chew on Geranium yoshinoi for preference.
So the plants usually retain their pretty foliage arms without any blemishes.

Bees & busy pollinators love the flowers

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

SEED SOWING ADVICE: Germinates in the cool

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

Tip for enhancing germination of Cranesbill (species Geranium) seeds: The seeds of species Geraniums (Cranesbills) have hard outer coating.
So the rate and speed of germination can be enhanced by gently abrading this hard outer coating so moisture can penetrate to the seed embryo.
You can do this by gently rubbing the seeds around on fine sandpaper or an emery board.

Then soak the seeds overnight in warm water that has been previously boiled and allowed to cool a little.

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.
But 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.

Tip if fridge space is at a premium: You can achieve the same effect by mixing the abraded and soaked seeds with a little moist vermiculite, and sealing them in a clip lock freezer bag. Place this in the fridge for 6 weeks before sowing in the punnet. It is the action of a period of moist cold that is important to break the seed’s natural dormancy.

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

Seeds love consistent moisture

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.
The seeds don’t mind if the temperature fluctuates between cool and warm (say overnight) – it might even aid germination. But temperatures above 15° may slow down germination.

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: 10 seeds per packet.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count and give a generous serve).

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