Geranium Gravetye

Description

Geranium ‘Gravetye’ – Himalayan cranesbill

Botanical name: Geranium himalayense ‘Gravetye’
Common names: Himalayan cranesbill
Family: Geraniaceae
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Habit: Low, spreading, mound-forming
Pot size: 2–3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 30–45cm tall × 60cm spread
Foliage: Deeply divided, lobed green leaves, colouring red and orange in autumn; deciduous
Flowers: Large, saucer-shaped, violet-blue flowers with a reddish-purple centre and darker veining, in early summer (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 ‘Gravetye’ is a lovely Himalayan cranesbill with large violet-blue saucer flowers with reddish centres in early summer, and good autumn leaf colour. Easy, reliable groundcover for borders.

GardenAdvice notes

One of the loveliest of the blue cranesbills, ‘Gravetye’ bears large, saucer-shaped violet-blue flowers with a warm reddish-purple centre and fine darker veining, in a generous early-summer display above neat, divided foliage that colours red and orange in autumn. Compact, spreading and thoroughly easy, it is a superb front-of-border plant and groundcover, 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 at the front of mixed, cottage and wildlife borders, as groundcover, on banks and beneath roses and shrubs, where its large violet-blue flowers and autumn leaf colour bring two seasons of interest.

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

‘Gravetye’ gives you one of the truest blues among the cranesbills — large violet-blue saucers with a warm red eye — plus a bonus of red and orange autumn leaf colour. It flowers generously but briefly, so shear the whole plant hard to the ground once the first flush fades: you’ll get a fresh mound of clean foliage and often a second flush of flowers.

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