Description
Geranium phaeum Golden Spring bred by Robin Moss, is a clump forming perennial. Leaves are pale golden in spring, maturing to green. Grows best in damp shade, will tolerate full sun but may not perform as well.
Pretty spring flowering plants for shady places, many with variegated leaves. Clump forming and semi-evergreen they are useful under deciduous trees and shrubs as well as in more open areas, tolerating sun as long as the soil doesn’t dry out. 30cm-90cm in flower, most around about 60cm.
The dusky cranesbill (Geranium phaeum) is a British native, albeit rarely seen so is always a good choice if you need a plant you know will do well. Many of the cultivars grown have originated in continental Europe though, a lot of them wild collected forms from southern central Europe where it is much more commonly seen than in the UK. Geranium phaeum, typically grow in deciduous woodland and hedgerows, often in more open areas and clearings.
Many people dislike Geranium phaeum as it does tend to self-seed a bit but if you have a semi wild area of shrubs or trees this habit is actually really useful and from a few well chosen cultivars you can have a superb natural hybrid swarm in a few years time. In more formal, well-gardened areas, it really isn’t much trouble to keep the seedlings weeded out and there certainly won’t be carpets of them in most gardens.(Courtesy of https://www.plantpref.co.uk)
Position: Shade
Soil: Ordinary, well drained
Flowers: Spring
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Eventual H&S:
Rate of growth: Moderate
Pot size: 1L
