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The Caucasian cranesbill is especially popular because of its decorative, gray-green leaves, which are reminiscent of sage leaves in color, are soft and velvety to the touch and remain green for most of the winter. The white or pale purple flowers create a nice contrast.
Profile of Caucasian cranesbill:
Scientific name: Geranium renardii
Plant family: cranesbill family (Geraniaceae)
Other names: –
Planting time: spring
Flowering period: June to July
Location: sunny to partially shaded
Soil quality: stony to sandy, moderately nutritious, low in humus
These information are for temperate climate!
Use in: flower beds, ground cover, embankments, borders, group planting, underplanting, flower garden, courtyard, rose garden, rock garden, forest garden
Winter hardiness: hardy, USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 6 (-20 °C / -5 °F)
Bee and insect friendly: Yes
Plant characteristics and classification of Caucasian cranesbill
Plant order, origin and occurrence
Caucasian cranesbill (Geranium renardii) belongs to the cranesbill family (Geraniaceae). It is native to the Caucasus region between Europe and Asia. The Latin specific epithet renardii honors the Russian naturalist Charles Claude Renard (1809-1886).
Characteristics of Caucasian cranesbill
Plant
The plant forms carpets, is creeping and is a good ground cover. It grows up to 30 centimeters (12 in) high.
Leaves
The velvety-soft leaves are almost round and cut in 5 to 7 corners about halfway. In dry and warm years they turn yellowish in autumn.
Blossoms
The perennial forms white, delicate cup-shaped flowers with purple-colored veins that are a bit reminiscent of hollyhocks and bloom from May to June.
Caucasian cranesbill – cultivation and care
Location
A moderately dry garden soil in full sun or on the edge of the wood is ideal.
Soil
It grows best in poor, sandy, humus-poor soils.
Planting
Plant this ground cover at a distance of 30 centimeters (12 in), 10 plants per square meter are sufficient.
Care
Caucasian cranesbill is easy to care for. It does not need lots of water, only on long summer dryness it should be watered once in a while. It does not need any fertilizer.
Propagation
The flower is propagated by division or cuttings in spring.
Wintering
The plant is hardy down to -20 °C / -5 °F.
Use in the garden
Caucasian cranesbill is great to plant in groups. This creates an overall impression that is reminiscent of a carpet of flowers. The plant is also convincing in its individual position. It even attracts attention in pots or boxes and in this way beautifies balconies and terraces. It arranges itself well with other plants and harmonizes with grasses or sage. Planted between other flowering plants with striking colors, it ensures the necessary harmony of the overall picture.
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