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Geranium, Lilac

Herbaceous Perennial Flower, Ground Cover

Also known as Lilac Cranesbill
Geranium himalayense
Geraniaceae Family
Synonym: Geranium grandiflorum, Geranium meeboldii, Geranium himalayense var. meeboldii

Forms dense, spreading mounds of blunt, toothed, and lobed leaves. Produces dainty, white-centered blooms in shades of blue and violet from early summer to early fall.

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Site and Plant Characteristics
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Growing Information
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Varieties
Site Characteristics
Sunlight:
  • full sun
  • part shade
Tolerates full shade. Prefers cool, moist sites.

Soil conditions:

  • requires well-drained soil

Hardiness zones:

  • 4 to 8
Plant Traits

Lifecycle: perennial

Ease-of-care: moderately difficult

Height: 0.75 to 1.5 feet

Spread: 1 to 2 feet

Bloom time:

  • early summer
  • mid-summer

Often blooms into early fall.

Flower color:

  • blue
  • indigo
  • violet

Blooms are shades of blue or purple with white centers.

Foliage color: medium green

Leaves turn showy reddish-orange in fall.

Foliage texture: medium

Shape:

  • cushion, mound or clump
  • spreading mass

Shape in flower: same as above
Special Considerations
Special characteristics:
  • non-aggressive
  • non-invasive
  • not native to North America - Native to the Himalayas
Growing Information
How to plant:

Propagate by division or separation - Divide in the spring.

Maintenance and care:
Protect from overly moist winter conditions. Divide every 2-3 years. Don't let soil dry out.

More growing information: How to Grow Perennials

Pests:
Leaf miners
Slugs and snails
Diseases:
Powdery mildew
Downy mildew
Bacterial blight
Botrytis
Cercospora leaf spot
Ramularia leaf spot
Varieties
'Birch Double': 10" tall plants with double, blue-tinted violet blooms with attractive dark veining. Syn. 'Plenum'.

'Gravetye': 1' tall plants with large violet blue blooms with red-ringed white centers. Syn. G. grandiflorum var. alpinum, G. himalayense var. alpinum.

'Irish Blue': pale blue blooms with violet central markings.

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