Geranium Species, Cranesbill, Hardy Geranium, Knotted Cranesbill, Pyrenees Geranium

There are many other geraniums that are showier and more floriferous, but few have such a long season of bloom. In a congenial climate, t...Read Morehis can bloom intermittently from May to frost. Petals are usually lilac to lavender-pink, with conspicuous darker veins.

The leaves have only 3 or sometimes 5 shallow lobes, which, with their glossy upper surface, gives the foliage a distinctively different texture from other hardy geraniums.

Also unusual in its tolerance for shade, and even dryish shade, though it performs best with even moisture and good drainage. Makes a good ground cover in woodland and under trees and shrubs. In congenial climates, as in England and the coastal Pacific northwest, it can tolerate sun, as long as it has reliable moisture.

Armitage says that in eastern N. America, this is hardy in Z5-7. At the Chicago Botanic Garden's 2004 hardy geranium evaluation (Z5b), two taxa managed to survive at least 4 winters and made a fair showing (in full sun).

A woodland native of the the mountains of southern Europe, the Pyranees, Jura, and Alps. Perhaps a better bet for the west coast of North America than for the east.

May also be propagated by basal cuttings in early to mid-spring; root with bottom heat.

The shiny leaves set this hardy geranium apart from most others. They have an unusual bronzy sheen. A very useful plant for dry shade

Lovely Geranium for shade. Whilst the species nodosum is fine there are other cultivars, notably 'Svelte Lilac' and a most attractive pl...Read Moreant having wine red flowers with a distict white edge, called 'Whiteleaf'.