Geranium Claridge Druce

Description

Geranium ‘Claridge Druce’ – cranesbill

Botanical name: Geranium x oxonianum ‘Claridge Druce’
Common names: Cranesbill
Family: Geraniaceae
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Habit: Vigorous, spreading, mound-forming
Pot size: 2–3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 60–75cm tall × 90cm spread (spreading widely)
Foliage: Deeply divided, greyish-green lobed leaves; semi-evergreen
Flowers: Masses of veined, rose-pink saucer-shaped flowers over a long season from early summer (June–September)
Scent: Not notably scented
Aspect / light: Full sun to partial shade; tolerates quite deep shade
Soil: Most soils; moist but well-drained; very tolerant of poor, dry soil; 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 ‘Claridge Druce’ is a vigorous, tough cranesbill smothered in veined rose-pink flowers over a long season. Superb, weed-smothering groundcover for difficult spots — but it spreads energetically.

GardenAdvice notes

An exceptionally vigorous and tough cranesbill, ‘Claridge Druce’ forms broad, weed-smothering mounds of greyish-green foliage covered for months in veined rose-pink flowers. It grows almost anywhere, in sun or considerable shade, poor soil or dry ground, and is invaluable for covering difficult banks and awkward corners — but that same vigour means it spreads widely and self-seeds, so it is best given room rather than a place in a choice border.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring or autumn in most soils soil in full sun to partial shade; tolerates quite deep 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. Being vigorous, it needs lifting and reducing periodically to keep it in bounds, and unwanted self-sown seedlings should be removed.

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 as tough, weed-smothering groundcover for banks, difficult corners, rough areas and beneath shrubs, in sun or shade, where its vigour is a virtue rather than a problem.

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

‘Claridge Druce’ is a magnificent problem-solver for a difficult bank or awkward shady corner — it smothers weeds, flowers for months, and grows almost anywhere. But be honest with yourself about the space: it’s genuinely vigorous, spreading widely and self-seeding, so it can bully choicer neighbours. Give it room to do its job, and chop it hard after the first flush.

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