Other Names:  Dwarf Geranium; Renard's Cranesbill

Description:

This species forms a small clump of gray-green leaves that have a quilted texture; clusters of violet-blue flowers appear in late spring with highly visible veining which is great contrast; lovely massed in the garden or mixed containers

Ornamental Features

Terre Franche Renard's Geranium has masses of beautiful violet flowers with blue overtones and purple veins at the ends of the stems from late spring to late summer, which are most effective when planted in groupings. Its deeply cut lobed palmate leaves remain grayish green in color throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Terre Franche Renard's Geranium is a dense herbaceous perennial with a mounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Terre Franche Renard's Geranium is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Terre Franche Renard's Geranium will grow to be only 6 inches tall at maturity extending to 10 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 15 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 12 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in poor soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider covering it with a thick layer of mulch in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Terre Franche Renard's Geranium is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers against which the thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.