Geranium Black & White

Description

Geranium ‘Black & White’ – meadow cranesbill

Botanical name: Geranium pratense ‘Black & White’
Common names: Meadow cranesbill
Family: Geraniaceae
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Habit: Upright, clump-forming
Pot size: 2–3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 60–75cm tall × 60cm spread
Foliage: Deeply divided, lobed green leaves, colouring in autumn; deciduous
Flowers: Saucer-shaped white flowers with striking dark purple-black centres and stamens, in early to midsummer (June–July)
Scent: Not notably scented
Aspect / light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Most soils; moist but well-drained, fertile; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H7 (very hardy, below −20°C); USDA zones 4–8
Exposure: Sheltered or exposed; very tolerant
Native range: Garden form; hardy geraniums are native across Europe and Asia
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Geranium ‘Black & White’ is a striking meadow cranesbill with white saucer flowers set off by dramatic dark purple-black centres. Elegant and easy for cottage, mixed and naturalistic borders.

GardenAdvice notes

A dramatic form of our native meadow cranesbill, this carries crisp white saucer-shaped flowers made striking by their dark purple-black centres and stamens — a bold, graphic contrast that lifts a border. Like all meadow cranesbills it is tough, easy and elegant, with handsome divided foliage that colours in autumn, and its flowers are much loved by bees.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring or autumn in most soils soil in full sun to partial shade — hardy geraniums are among the easiest and most adaptable of all perennials. Space about 45cm apart. Water while establishing.

Care & maintenance

The single most useful thing you can do is give it a hard cut-back once the first flush of flowers fades — shear the whole plant right down to near ground level. It responds with a fresh mound of clean foliage and, usually, a second flush of flowers. Cut down old growth in late winter. Lift and divide congested clumps every few years in spring.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide established clumps in spring, as growth begins.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free and healthy — hardy geraniums are among the most reliable of all perennials. Slugs may graze new growth, and powdery mildew or rust can occur in dry spells. Otherwise easy.

Uses in the garden

Superb in cottage, mixed, naturalistic and wildlife borders, and in meadow-style plantings, where its crisp dark-eyed white flowers and divided foliage bring elegance and mix beautifully with roses, grasses and other perennials.

Wildlife value

Hardy geraniums are excellent for pollinators: their open, saucer-shaped flowers are very attractive to bees, hoverflies and other beneficial insects, often over a long season.

Toxicity & safety

Hardy geraniums are generally regarded as non-toxic to people and pets. Note that they are quite different from pelargoniums (the tender bedding and pot ‘geraniums’), which are toxic to cats and dogs.

GardenAdvice tip

The white flowers with their dark eyes are a striking, graphic thing in a border, and much loved by bees. Like all the meadow cranesbills, it can look tired and sprawl after flowering — so shear the whole plant right down once the first flush fades. It bounces back with a fresh mound of foliage and often a second flush of flowers.

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