Wood Cranesbill, Woodland geranium
Geranium sylvaticum
Family: Geraniaceae
What it is like
Geranium sylvaticum is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.6 m (2ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 1
Where it is found
Meadows, hedgebanks, damp woods and mountain rock ledges.
Europe, including Britain from the Arctic to Spain east to the Caucasus and Siberia.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 3
A blue dye is obtained from the flowers. It is violet. Fugitive. A useful and dense ground cover plant, succeeding in deep shade. It needs weeding for the first year or so. Plants should be spaced about 60cm apart each way.
Dye: Plants that provide dyes.
Ground cover: Ground Cover
How it is grown
Succeeds in any moderately fertile retentive soil in sun or shade.Tolerant of a wide range of soil types and of shade. Plants can be naturalized in meadows. A very cold-tolerant species. tolerating temperatures down to at least -25°c. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits. Often self sows freely.
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Ground Cover; Meadow; Hedgerow;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 4-8
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Full shade, semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist