Dusky crane's-bill
Geranium phaeum · Geraniaceae
📷 Agnieszka Kwiecień (Nova) · CC BY 2.5
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant dusky crane's-bill: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Geranium phaeum
- Family
- Geraniaceae
- Plant type
- Herbaceous perennial
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- April to June
- Mature height
- 60 cm
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -15°C)
- Origin
- Central and southern Europe
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Geranium phaeum flowers early (April-June) and tolerates shade beautifully, which is rare. Give it rich, slightly moist soil.
The common mistake
Placing it in dry, hot ground: it exhausts quickly and produces few flowers; damp partial shade is its sweet spot.
The pro's trick
Let it self-seed a bit: seedlings germinated in autumn create a naturally dense population by the following spring.
Care
Light exposure
Dusky cranesbill thrives in partial shade or shade, ideal for less sunny areas of your garden. It tolerates morning sun but appreciates protection from direct afternoon rays, particularly in warm climates.
Watering
Keep the soil regularly moist, especially during growth and flowering. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Once established, it tolerates somewhat drier periods.
Soil
This plant prefers rich, well-drained soil amended with organic matter. It adapts to many soil types and is not particularly demanding, provided the soil isn't too compacted.
Pruning and cleanup
Cut back stems after flowering to maintain a compact shape and encourage a second flush of blooms. In late winter, remove dead or damaged stems. The plant regenerates naturally.
Fertilizing
Apply balanced fertilizer in spring when growth resumes. During flowering, a light feeding can boost flower production, but it's not essential for an established plant.
Diseases and pests
Dusky cranesbill is a robust plant rarely affected by disease. Watch for powdery mildew in excessively humid conditions without good air circulation. Slugs may damage young foliage in spring.
Did you know?
Dusky cranesbill owes its name to the characteristic brown-purple color of its delicate flowers. In England, it's also called 'dusky cranesbill' because its seeds resemble a crane's beak. This plant is highly valued by naturalistic gardeners as it self-seeds readily and creates romantic drifts in woodland garden areas.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Meadow geraniumGeranium pratense
- Bloody Crane's-billGeranium sanguineum
- Rock crane's-billGeranium macrorrhizum
- French crane's-billGeranium endressii
- Purple-vein geraniumGeranium wallichianum
- Himalayan crane's-billGeranium himalayense
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.