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Published in Organic Gardening Magazine - May 2005 |
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Imagine a group of plants that flowers over a long period, will grow almost anywhere, provides attractive ground cover and have blooms in a variety of stunning colours. Add to these attributes an ability to bring bees and some butterflies flocking to the garden, and even the odd bullfinch, and you have perhaps the perfect group of plants for any wildlife friendly plot. I am always on the lookout for plants that have good wildlife value that will survive in my clay soil and one large group of plants has exceeded my expectations. Even the fancy varieties have the natural and unspoilt charm of their native cousins. They are the cranesbills or hardy Geraniums, and I for one wouldn’t know what to do without them. Cranesbills are perfect plants needing only the minimum of maintenance and attention. They will also grow in dry shade – a real plus if you have trees that remove the last remaining drop of moisture from the soil beneath. Perhaps a few varieties self seed rather too prolifically, but if this is into shady soil where little else will establish, we really can't complain! |
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wild meadow cranesbill |
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Of all the natives perhaps the most striking is the wood cranesbill, Geranium sylvaticum. In the wild this plant sometimes creates swathes of purple-blue in dappled woodland. In the garden the larger flowered varieties of the wildflower come in blue, pink and white and are quite stunning, being up to a metre tall on sturdy stems. Other small native species may not have the impact of those already mentioned, but the dove’s-foot cranesbill has great wildlife value, being one of the larval food plants of the tiny brown argus butterfly. This little plant, with its hairy round leaves, is often found in lawns or as a garden weed. Geranium robertianum or Herb Robert brings colour to the garden at any time of year. Its attractive green leaves become suffused with crimson in cold weather, giving a splash of red to a dull corner in the winter months, and the tiny pink flowers may appear at virtually any time. |
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wood cranesbill |
dove's-foot cranesbill |
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As Geraniums are found
all around the world in a range of habitats, it is no wonder that it is
possible to find a variety that will suit any garden situation. The
large Mediterranean species, G. palmatum, came originally from Madeira and
needs a hot dry spot to thrive as it is not reliably hardy. It is
worth the effort though as in the right place it can reach well over a
meter in height and the branched spike of flowers bears a profusion of
bright pink blooms. Other tall varieties include the colourful G.
psilostemon which has bright magenta flowers with a dark eye, and
dominates a border with its dramatic colouration. May
and June are perhaps the best months for hardy Geraniums, especially our
natives. The foliage grows quickly in the spring to produce a mound
of attractive leaves and the flowers appear from mid month onwards and,
depending on species, may continue well into the summer months. If
the plants begin to look a little worn in the summer, the foliage can be
cut right back to produce a new flush of fresh growth. I prefer to
cut back just a few in full view to refresh the leaves, leaving other
plants alone to provide cover for wildlife through the summer months. |
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There are so many
hardy Geranium varieties and species (well over 200) that it is possible to
become a little confused. Their ability to hybridize at will also
means that new varieties appear all the time in nurseries and garden centres.
If you grow a selection you will soon find that you have your own unique
collection. But in spite of its chameleon nature, the hardy Geranium
has the ability to attract insects even where the plant has changed from the
original species through deliberate or accidental hybridization. The
open flowers have copious amounts of pollen and are particularly good for
the smaller bumblebees species and solitary bees. Some, especially the
natives, also have nectar and several butterfly species will visit the
flowers. The majority of the
garden forms set seed well and these seeds are large and nutritious. All the
finches seem to like them, but in particular the bullfinch is fond of the
seeds of several of the species. In my garden I can expect to see a
family of bullfinches in June searching for the seeds of mourning widow, Geranium
phaeum, but also several of the other species including the humble
herb Robert. |
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geranium and bee |
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You could be forgiven for thinking that plants with all these virtues would be difficult to grow, but of course they are simplicity itself. They benefit from the occasional organic mulch and the tired foliage can be cut back in summer if you wish to provide a fresh burst of growth, but this is certainly not necessary. Removal of the previous season’s dead leaves can be done in early March but watch out! I have more than once found a hibernating hedgehog beneath the mound of winter foliage. Propagation is also easy as plants can be split or grown from small rooted pieces, and seeds germinate well after a cold winter. All in all, at least in my garden, these are perfect plants. Colour, attractive foliage and drought tolerance together with the ability to attract bees, butterflies, bullfinches and even the occasional hedgehog! Every wildlife garden should have some. |
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© Text and photographs Jenny Steel 2008