GERANIUM pratense

Meadow Cranesbill

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Type:

Perennial
Height: 1-3' (30-90cm)
Flowering Time: Summer
Flower Colour: Blue, mauve, pink, white
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Botanical Classification:

Class:

Angiospermae (Angiosperms)
Subclass: Dicotyledonae (Dicotyledons)
Superorder: Rosidae (Rose Superorder)
Order: Geraniales (Geranium Order)
Family: Geraniaceae (Geranium Family)
Genus: Geranium (Cranesbill)
Species: pratense (meadow)
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Geranium pratense

Geranium pratense is a native British wildflower, but is widely cultivated in gardens. It is a herbaceous perennial Geranium, and reaches a height of about 2'-3'. The leaves are finely divided, and the blue flowers with white veins are borne in clusters all summer.

Many cultivars and hybrids have been bred with flower colours from white, through pinks and mauves to deeper blues, and some have darker foliage.

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Harvesting and Growing from Seed:

Germination:

Winter or Summer
Deno
(3-4 days)

Seed Pod The seed pod is long and pointed, like a crane's bill. There are five seeds in a ring at the
base of the 'beak', each with its own cover, attached to the 'beak' by a woody ribbon.

Seed The seeds are oval dark brown beads. There are five seeds from each flower.

Seedling The two seedleaves are rounded, each with a long stalk joining the main stem. The stem
may be reddish. The first true leaves are deeply lobed.

Seeds often germinate faster if they are nicked slightly before sowing.

(You can check the meaning of any technical terms new to you in the Botany section of the site)

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