Cranesbill (Geranium Wlassovianum)

Features and Characteristics

Geranium wlassovianum is a bushy, clump-forming perennial which typically grows to 24″ tall with a 12-18″ spread. Features 1″ diameter, 5-petaled, dusky violet flowers with deep violet veining on the petals from late spring to early summer. Each flower has a small white eye. Lobed foliage emerges olive green with chocolate blotches, matures to dusky green and turns red in autumn. Fall color can be outstanding. This species is native to damp grasslands and scrub in eastern Asia.

Genus name comes from the Greek word geranos meaning crane in reference to the fruit which purportedly resembles the head and beak of a crane.