Geranium himalayense (Cranesbill) - From the Himalayas comes this beautiful blue carpet-forming perennial with bold mounds of large basal leaves to 4+ inches wide divided into 7 blunt-lobed segments, and produces the largest of Geranium flowers, to 2 ¼ inches wide. These summer flowers start as a subtle shade of blue and then age with pink veins and red centers. This plant grows to about 1 foot tall and spreads to around 3 feet wide.
Use as a groundcover or in the border in full sun along the coast or morning sun in hot locales. It is hardy to USDA Zone 4, so this is a very hardy plant.
The etymology of the genus name Geranium, and the family Geraniaceae, is derived from the Greek word, 'geranos' which means "crane" from the seed capsule's resemblance to beak of this bird. It is a large genus with over 430 species distributed throughout most of the world, except in lowland tropical areas. We grew this nice plant from 1994 until 2007.
The information about Geranium himalayense displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |