Geranium pratense Double Jewel

The Geranium pratense Double Jewel, sometimes called Crane's Beak or Meadow Cranesbill, is a new variety of perennial Geranium that bears exquisite double star-shaped flowers, white with a purple-pink center. Compact and accommodating despite its precious appearance, it is suitable for container cultivation.

Floriferous, generous, and easy to grow, perennial Geraniums have everything to please. Especially since, unlike Balcony Geraniums (which are actually Pelargoniums) with which they are sometimes confused, they are perfectly hardy, at least down to -15°C (5°F), and therefore remain in the ground all winter.

Native to Europe, Central Asia, and China, and belonging to the Geraniaceae family, the Geranium pratense Double Jewel has a compact habit, reaching an average height and width of 30 cm (12in). Its flowers are truly unique, star-shaped, they are composed of two rows of petals, with the smaller ones tinted purple-pink towards the center. A beauty that would easily rival the best varieties of Hellebores. It blooms from May to July, but doesn't set any duration records, a small weakness that is easily forgiven given its elegance.

Easy to grow and not very demanding, you can plant it in full sun or partial shade, ideally in humus-rich, moist to slightly wet soil, without excess.

In the garden, perennial Geraniums can be planted almost anywhere; in rockeries, in a woodland setting with Ferns and Woodrushes, near Roses which they elegantly dress the base of, as a border plant with other varieties of double-flowered Geraniums, and even in containers.