Geranium Elke (Cranesbill)
Noted for its long flowering season, Geranium ‘Elke’ (Cranesbill) is an eye-catching, mat-forming, spreading perennial with upward-facing, strong pink flowers with a small white eye and a pale outer edge to the petals. Blooming from late spring to late summer, the almost fluorescent blossoms rise above the foliage of finely dissected, dark green leaves, that turn bronzy-red in fall.
Noted for its long flowering season, Geranium 'Elke' (Cranesbill) is an eye-catching, mat-forming, spreading perennial with upward-facing, strong pink flowers with a small white eye and a pale outer edge to the petals. Blooming from late spring to late summer, the almost fluorescent blossoms rise above the foliage of finely dissected, dark green leaves, that turn bronzy-red in fall. This hardy Geranium is more or less evergreen in mild winter climates. Easy to grow, Geranium 'Elke' provides long-lasting color in the garden.
- Grows up to 10-12 in. in height (25-30 cm) and 12-18 in. in spread (30-45 cm)
- Performs best in full sun or part shade in well-drained soils. This plant is not fussy about soils provided they are well-drained. Drought tolerant once established.
- Generally deer and rabbit resistant, this Geranium is attractive to butterflies!
- A great addition to beds and borders, cottage gardens, rock gardens. Perfect as a ground cover, underplanting roses and shrubs, banks and slopes, or as an edging plant.
- Requires very little maintenance and is generally not subject to serious pest or disease issues. May be occasionally affected by vine weevil, capsid bug, sawflies and powdery mildews
- Remove flowered stems and old leaves to encourage the production of fresh leaves and flowers.
- Propagate by division in spring or propagate by basal cuttings in early to mid-spring and root with bottom heat
Requirements
| Hardiness | 3 – 9 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones | 1 – 8 |
| Climate Zones | 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A2, A3 |
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Geranium – Cranesbills |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late)Fall |
| Height | 10" – 1' (25cm – 30cm) |
| Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
| Spacing | 18″ (45cm) |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy, Semi-Evergreen |
| Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Rabbit |
| Attracts | Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Edging, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs |
| Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden |