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'Dark Roast' Cranesbill (Geranium)

Perennial

  • Native cranesbill with fuchsia petals & dark burgundy foliage!
  • More heat-tolerant than the straight native species.
  • Deer-resistant, pollinator-friendly perennial.
  • Great for massing as an easy-care flowering ground cover.
  • Zones 4-8, sun/part sun, 12-15” tall x 12-18″ wide at maturity.
  • ZONE
  • SamitaEXPOSURE
  • SamitaHEIGHT
Size: One Quart
Regular price $25.00
Sale price Sale: $25.00 Regular price Each
Total: $25.00
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Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
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Arrives as a Young Plant
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Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
Shipped to Your Door
Arrives as a Young Plant
60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee
Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
Shipped to Your Door
Arrives as a Young Plant
60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee
Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
Shipped to Your Door
Arrives as a Young Plant
60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee
Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
Shipped to Your Door
Arrives as a Young Plant
60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee
Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
Shipped to Your Door
Arrives as a Young Plant
60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee

Description

Native plant enthusiasts rejoice! ‘Dark Roast’ cranesbill (Geranium maculatum) is a native geranium with bright, fuchsia flowers and striking dark burgundy foliage, adding bold blooms to the landscape from late spring through early summer. This cultivar is also notably more heat-tolerant than the straight native species, with the vibrant flowers and foliage remaining unscathed during early summer heat waves. It’s also quite adaptable to most landscapes, including areas with dry shade. Use ‘Dark Roast’ cranesbill as a dramatic dark ground cover, or add to native interest in a mixed garden bed.

Details

Botanical Name: Geranium maculatum 'Dark Roast'
Patent #: PP37409
Common Name: Hardy Geranium, cranesbill
Zones: 4-8
Sun Exposure: Sun (> 6 hours sun) to part-sun (4-6 hours sun)
Height x Width: 12-15" X 12-18"
Flower Color: Purple, pink
Foliage Color: Dark green, burgundy
Season of interest: Spring through fall
Bloom time: Late Spring, early summer, midsummer, late summer, early fall, midfall
Features: Native, rain gardens, rabbit-resistant, heat-tolerant, fragrant, deer-resistant, container plants, ground cover, best for beginners, low-maintenance, pollinator-friendly
Uses: Container planting, cottage gardening, woodland planting, native gardens, ground cover, massing, specimen

How to Grow

Soil: Easily grown in average, well-drained soils. Prefers a well-draining soil that stays moist., though it is adaptable to many soil types, including drier soils.
Light: Sun (> 6 hours sun) to part-sun (4-6 hours sun)
Water: Average water needs. Established plants have some drought tolerance.
Spacing: Minimum 12-18 inches apart.
Fertilizing: Generally unnecessary, but could benefit from a light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring.
Winterizing: No specific care is needed. Can leave foliage standing for winter and remove in spring when new growth begins.
Maintenance & Pruning: Gardeners can prune anytime during the summer to shape the plant. Divide and move clumps in spring.

Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:

bush distance

Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:

bush distance zigzag

Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.

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