Geranium pratense, commonly known as Meadow Cranesbill, is a beautiful, hardy perennial producing an abundance of delicate, saucer-shaped flowers in soft lavender-blue and violet shades. Each flower features five gently overlapping petals with fine, darker veins radiating from a pale centre, creating a wonderfully natural and romantic appearance.
A traditional British wildflower, Meadow Cranesbill is particularly lovely in cottage gardens, informal borders and naturalistic planting schemes. Its airy, branching stems carry flowers above attractive, deeply divided green foliage, creating a soft, meadow-like effect that combines beautifully with ornamental grasses and other summer-flowering perennials.
Growing to approximately 60–90cm tall, this easy-to-grow perennial flowers throughout early and midsummer, attracting bees and other beneficial pollinators. The delicate blue-violet flowers are particularly attractive to bees, making it an excellent addition to wildlife-friendly gardens.
Once established, Geranium pratense forms attractive clumps that return year after year, providing reliable summer colour with very little maintenance. It thrives in full sun or partial shade and prefers moisture-retentive but well-drained soil.
When to Sow: Feb–May & Sep–Nov
HOW TO SOW GERANIUM PRATENSE:
Sow into trays of moist, well-drained seed compost and cover lightly with compost or vermiculite. Keep at 15–20°C. Germination can be slow and irregular, as seeds have a naturally hard seed coat and may require a period of cold to break dormancy. Autumn sowing outdoors is recommended to allow seeds to experience natural winter conditions. Alternatively, seeds can be cold stratified in a sealed bag with a little damp vermiculite in the fridge at 2–5°C for 4–6 weeks before sowing. Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle.
Classification: Hardy Perennial
Expert Level: Requires some Experience
Germination Time: 2–8 Weeks (Variable)
Flowering Time: Jun–Aug
Site: Full Sun / Partial Shade
Soil Type: Loam / Clay / Chalk
Soil Acidity: Acid / Neutral / Alkaline
Moisture: Moist / Well Drained
Care: Water regularly while establishing. Cut back faded flower stems after flowering to encourage fresh foliage and potentially a second flush. Divide established clumps every few years if required.
Use: Cottage Gardens, Borders, Wildflower Meadows, Pollinators
Height: 60–90cm
Plant Spacing: 40–50cm