Geranium pratense

The Meadow Cranesbill, in Latin Geranium pratense, is part of the large tribe of perennial geraniums that are perfectly hardy in European climates. This Eurasian representative of the Geraniaceae family is at once ornamental, robust, generous, and very floriferous in summer. While the wild form bears bright lavender blue flowers, many horticultural varieties present single or double flowers (for example, with 'Laura'), in a range of colours from white to pink and blue, and some are even adorned with very beautiful purple foliage, like Black'n'White Army. The meadow cranesbill is characterised by strong vegetation, reaching up to 70 cm (28in) in height, with abundant finely cut and toothed foliage that takes on beautiful autumn colours, and long flowering, from May to August. This perennial appreciates good garden soil that is not too dry in summer, and full sun to partial shade. Its vegetation disappears in winter and re-emerges from the ground in spring.

Geranium pratense and its varieties perform very well in a nature-friendly garden and are superb plants, providing nectar and pollen for many insects such as butterflies, bees etc. It finds its place in a cottage or English garden, in borders, alongside pathways, on slopes, in a meadow, or even in pots on the terrace.