Geranium Phaeum or Dusky Cranesbill

Geranium Phaeum (Dusky Cranesbill) is a deciduous perennial with the RHS Perfect for Pollinators badge. It has deep purple flowers throughout the summer and grows in the majority of places forming a clump of stunning deep colour. It’s excellent in a shady mixed border but will grow almost anywhere.

Geranium Phaeum is native to southern, central and western Europe where it grows in a wide variety of environments. It’s better known as Dusky Cranesbill or the dramatic Black Widow due to its intensely deep purple petals that are unmistakably turned backwards with long forward-facing bee-friendly stamens. Its green and brown foliage is crinkled at the margins and spread sparsely along its tall erect stems.

Dusky Cranesbill is an outstanding low maintenance border filler capable of growing in poor soil, sun and shade. It grows back bigger and better each year.

Height And Spread of Geranium Phaeum
Dusky Cranesbill reaches a height of around 80 cms and spreads over 50 cms in 2-5 years.

How Hardy is Geranium Phaeum
The RHS has rated Dusky Cranesbill H7 which is the rating reserved for the hardiest plants. It tolerates drought, shade and pollution.

How To Use Geranium Phaeum
This dramatically coloured perennial suits a wide range of planting from city courtyards to cottage style informal gardens where it attracts plenty of pollinators and brings a low-key wash of deep purple.
Grow it in low maintenance mixed flower borders, rock or gravel gardens, front gardens, wildlife-friendly spaces, or near ponds. Dusky Cranesbill is a good choice if you aren’t sure what to plant, but want bee-friendly flowers all summer.

How To Care For Geranium Phaeum
Dusky Cranesbill is easy to grow and needs very little if any maintenance once established. It tolerates the majority of soils including poor chalky soil through to acidic conditions, but it won’t manage consistently waterlogged spots. If you’re using dusky cranesbill to attract pollinators then a sheltered position will attract more bees.

Plant it in full shade or full sun and water it well until it’s established. You don’t need to prune it, but removing the flower stalks after they’ve finished will encourage more blooms.