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Geranium phaeum var lividum

Geranium phaeum var lividum
Dusky Cranesbill, Mourning Widow, Black Widow, Hardy Geranium

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More information

This perennial geranium offers a gentle harmony of light colours, with its pale lilac pink translucent flowers with grey reflections and small white centre, and its acid green foliage. It is a beautiful herbaceous perennial, very hardy, flowering in spring, in an abundance of small flowers carried in clusters well above the foliage. They are downward-facing, in well-opened cups. It forms a small semi-evergreen bush, sturdy against the wind, accommodating in terms of soil and exposure, even in occasionally dry shade.
Flower size
2 cm
Height at maturity
45 cm
Spread at maturity
30 cm
Exposure
Partial shade, Shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -29°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November
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Flowering time May to July
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Description

The Perennial Geranium phaeum var. lividum, also known as Brown Geranium, Blackish Geranium, or Livid Geranium, offers a gentle harmony of light colors, with its pale lilac translucent flowers with gray highlights and its light green acidulous foliage. It is a beautiful herbaceous perennial, very hardy, flowering in spring with an abundance of small silky flowers, carried in clusters well above the foliage. They are downward-facing, with open cups. It forms a small semi-evergreen bush, resilient to wind, accommodating in terms of soil and exposure, even in occasionally dry shade.

 

 The Perennial Geranium phaeum var. lividum belongs to the Geraniaceae family. It is closely related to Geranium phaeum, native to the mountains of southern and central Europe, in a wide area extending from the Pyrenees to the Balkans. It forms a clump of semi-evergreen foliage, 45 cm (18in) tall when in flower, and 30 cm (0 and 12in) wide. It has a dense and erect habit. Flowering takes place in May-June, and sporadically during summer under not too dry conditions. The flower itself is relatively discreet, measuring only 2 to 3 cm (1in) in diameter, but it is precious in all its details. Its translucent petals, with silky reflections, are pale lilac or mauve, with a nearly white central area, and the center is crowned with gracefully curved pink stamens around the pistil, resembling butterfly trunks. The flowers are very numerous, arranged in clusters along slender floral stems that stand out distinctly from the foliage. The leaves are lobed and divided into 5 large lobes, a very bright light green with yellow undertones. G. phaeum self-seeds abundantly in the garden and readily hybridizes with each other.

 

Geranium phaeum var. lividum does not exhibit a flashy and spectacular flowering as its flowers are small and light. However, the clumps do not go unnoticed in May. It is an excellent ground cover to enliven a wild garden or brighten a woodland. It tolerates shade, even dense shade, and withstands drought once established. In a woodland setting, it is a good companion for acid-green euphorbias and pastel-toned lungworts. The slightly lower, lighter-flowered Geranium nodosum will serve the same purpose in the shade. Plant it along a north or east-facing alley, among ferns and bergenia, in front of hydrangeas, rhododendrons, and camellias. It will blend well with all shade and part-shade perennials such as fuchsias, hostas, periwinkles, hellebores, and barrenworts.
 

Geranium phaeum var lividum in pictures

Geranium phaeum var lividum (Flowering) Flowering
Geranium phaeum var lividum (Foliage) Foliage

Flowering

Flower colour mauve
Flowering time May to July
Inflorescence Cyme
Flower size 2 cm

Foliage

Foliage persistence Semi-evergreen
Foliage colour green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 45 cm
Spread at maturity 30 cm
Growth rate normal

Botanical data

Genus

Geranium

Species

phaeum var lividum

Family

Geraniaceae

Other common names

Dusky Cranesbill, Mourning Widow, Black Widow, Hardy Geranium

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference808161

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Planting and care

The perennial Geranium phaeum is a very tolerant plant that accepts ordinary soil, even limestone, but prefers rich and moist soil, in which it will grow larger and more beautiful. It is a geranium for shade or semi-shade, but it also tolerates the sun well if the soil remains moist. It tolerates occasional drought in the North or in the shade. Cut the faded stems after flowering. It is a reliable perennial that requires virtually no maintenance.

 

To plant your Geranium phaeum, work the soil to a depth of 20 cm (8in), crumbling the soil well and adding a bottom amendment such as dried blood or dehydrated horn. Position your plant, removed from its pot, covering the top of the root ball with 3 cm (1in) of soil, then fill in and water thoroughly to remove any air pockets. In dry weather, regular watering for a few weeks is necessary to facilitate root growth.

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Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Shaded rockery, Woodland edge, Undergrowth
Type of use Border, Slope
Hardiness Hardy down to -29°C (USDA zone 5) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Planting density 5 per m2
Exposure Partial shade, Shade
Soil pH Any
Soil type Clayey (heavy), Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Moist soil, humus-bearing and light

Care

Pruning instructions After the flowering, it is wise to cut back the stems and leaves to ground level in order to avoid excessive sowing and to encourage new foliage and promote a second flowering.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time July to August
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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