Geranium nodosum

Description

Geranium nodosum – knotted cranesbill

Botanical name: Geranium nodosum
Common names: Knotted cranesbill
Family: Geraniaceae
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Habit: Upright, clump-forming, spreading
Pot size: 2–3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 40–50cm tall × 45cm spread (spreading)
Foliage: Glossy, sharply lobed green leaves; deciduous
Flowers: Dainty, funnel-shaped lilac-pink flowers with darker veining, over a remarkably long season from late spring into autumn (May–October)
Scent: Not notably scented
Aspect / light: Partial to full shade; tolerates dry shade
Soil: Most soils; humus-rich, moist but well-drained; tolerates dry shade; 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 nodosum, knotted cranesbill, is a superb shade plant with glossy foliage and dainty lilac-pink flowers from late spring into autumn. One of the very best cranesbills for dry shade under trees.

GardenAdvice notes

One of the most useful of all shade plants, knotted cranesbill produces dainty, funnel-shaped lilac-pink flowers, prettily veined, over a remarkably long season from late spring right into autumn, above glossy, sharply lobed foliage. It thrives in the difficult conditions of dry shade beneath trees and shrubs, self-seeds gently to colonise awkward corners, and asks almost nothing in return.

Growing & planting

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

Care & maintenance

Low-maintenance. Shear the whole plant over after flowering to tidy it and encourage a fresh mound of foliage. It self-seeds gently, which is usually welcome as it colonises shady ground, but seedlings are easily removed. Cut down old growth in late winter. Water while establishing; thereafter it tolerates dry shade well.

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 long-flowering groundcover in shady and woodland borders, under trees and shrubs, in dry shade and awkward shady corners, where its glossy foliage and dainty flowers bring months of quiet charm.

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

Knotted cranesbill is one of the best plants I know for dry shade under trees — glossy foliage, dainty veined lilac-pink flowers from late spring right into autumn, and no trouble at all. It self-seeds gently, which is a virtue here: let it colonise an awkward shady corner where little else will grow, and simply shear it over if it sprawls.

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