'Raven' Cranesbill (Geranium)
Perennial
- Deep purple, nearly black blooms speckle the plant from spring to summer!
- Loved by pollinators but avoided by deer.
- A great choice for a low maintenance ground cover.
- Zones 5-8, sun to part sun, 18" tall and wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
Details
Common name: Cranesbill, geranium
Zone: 5-8
Sun exposure: Sun (> 6 hours sun), part sun (4-6 hours sun)
Height x width: 18" tall and wide
Foliage color: Green
Flower color: Deep purple, sometimes nearly black
Bloom time: Summer
Features: Rare & unusual, rabbit & deer resistant, heat tolerant
Uses: Ground cover, container plant, border, pollinator gardens
How to Grow
Light: Sun (> 6 hours sun) to part-sun (4-6 hours sun). Plants prefer some part afternoon shade in the southern half of their growing zone.
Water: Average water needs. Established plants have some drought tolerance.
Spacing: 18 inches.
Fertilizing: Benefits from a light application of balanced, granular 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: 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:
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:
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.