Meadow Cranesbill Striatum Seeds - Geranium pratense

Geranium pratense 'Striatum' is a very attractive strain of the robust perennial wildflower commonly known as or Meadow Cranesbill. It offers a profusion of white flowers with random blue-mauve splashes and stripes. It returns and blooms faithfully in early summer, year after year, on rather loose, bending stalks. The dense foliage turns bronze in autumn. This reliable, versatile plant will find a place in any garden, thriving in cool, rich soil.

Geranium pratense belongs to the Geraniaceae family. Its origins are uncertain, but it is spread over a wide area, from Western Europe to Western China. This hardy, herbaceous perennial occurs naturally in meadows and on roadsides. Geranium pratense 'Striatum' forms loose, bushy clumps, 50 cm tall and wide. It flowers in June-July, at the top of branched, hairy stems, sometimes repeat flowering in September. The 3 cm blooms are white with delicate splashes and spots in soft shades of blue and mauve. Some are entirely blue, whilst others are entirely white. The protruding anthers are a darker shade, emerging from the centre of the flower. They are loved by foraging insects. The foliage is deciduous, made up of large, lobed and toothed, medium green leaves, approx. 20 cm long, appearing almost all the way along the sturdy, hairy stems. It takes on a nice bronze hue in autumn.

Like many other perennial geranium species, Geranium pratense performs very well in naturalistic gardens, providing nectar and pollen for many foraging insects such as butterflies, bees, bumblebees, etc... It is an ideal plant for cottage gardens, quickly bring colour to perennial beds or borders. It can also be grown along driveways or on slopes. Combine it with columbines, peonies, lupines, bellflowers, poppies and daisies.