Geranium Wargrave Pink

Description

Geranium ‘Wargrave Pink’ – cranesbill

Botanical name: Geranium x oxonianum ‘Wargrave Pink’
Common names: Cranesbill
Family: Geraniaceae
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Habit: Vigorous, spreading, mound-forming
Pot size: 2–3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 45–60cm tall × 90cm spread (spreading)
Foliage: Deeply divided, lobed, light green leaves; semi-evergreen
Flowers: Masses of bright salmon-pink saucer-shaped flowers over a very long season from early summer (May–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 ‘Wargrave Pink’ is a vigorous, tough cranesbill smothered in bright salmon-pink flowers over a very long season. Superb, weed-smothering groundcover for borders, banks and difficult spots.

GardenAdvice notes

A classic, thoroughly reliable cranesbill, ‘Wargrave Pink’ forms broad, weed-smothering mounds of light green divided foliage covered for months with bright salmon-pink saucer-shaped flowers. Vigorous and adaptable, growing in sun or considerable shade and coping with poor, dry ground, it is invaluable for covering banks and awkward corners — though that vigour means it spreads and self-seeds, so it needs room.

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 spreads and self-seeds, so lift and reduce it periodically and remove unwanted seedlings.

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 and beneath shrubs, and in cottage and mixed borders with room to spread, in sun or shade, where its long season of salmon-pink flowers earns its place.

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

‘Wargrave Pink’ is a wonderfully reliable workhorse — bright salmon-pink flowers for months, smothering weeds, and growing almost anywhere including poor dry shade. But be honest about the space: it’s vigorous and self-seeds, so give it room rather than a spot beside something choice. Chop it hard after the first flush and it comes back fresh.

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