Bloody Cranesbill 'Lancastriense' 'striatum'

Found originally on the island of Walney in Cumbria, this native variety of Geranium is one of the most beautiful and versatile ground-cover plants for British gardens. It forms a low, spreading hummock of deeply divided, dark green leaves that often take on red tints in the autumn. In summer, it is covered in large, saucer-shaped flowers of a delicate, pale shell-pink, intricately veined with deeper magenta lines. It is far more prostrate and compact than the species, making it an excellent choice for rockeries, gravel gardens, or the front of a border. It is incredibly tough (H7), heat-tolerant, and thrives in almost any well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. Once established, it requires very little maintenance, though it can be cut back after its main flowering flush to encourage a second crop of blooms and tidy the foliage. It is highly attractive to bees and is generally resistant to pests and diseases.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Any well-drained soil.

Hardiness: H7 — below −20°C.

Flowering: Jun, Jul, Aug.