Geranium 'Elke'
cranesbill
- 9cm pot
- £9.99
- available to order from spring
- 3 × 9cm pots
- £24.99 £8.33 each
- available to order from spring
- 6 × 9cm pots
- £39.99 £6.67 each
- available to order from spring
Delivery options
- Standard £5.99
- Position: full sun or partial shade
- Soil: moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: fast
- Flowering period: June to September
- Hardiness: fully hardy
Masses of small flowers appear for a long period from midsummer above the deeply divided foliage forming an attractive carpet of colour. Each purple-pink flower petal is paler at its base and fades again to near-white around its edge creating a lovely bi-coloured effect. They are also attractively threaded with darker coloured veins throughout.
In autumn the normally green foliage of this easy to grow cranesbill turns attractive shades of red before it dies off, and becoming drought tolerant with age, Geranium 'Elke' looks great spilling over the edges of a path or the front of a bed.
In autumn the normally green foliage of this easy to grow cranesbill turns attractive shades of red before it dies off, and becoming drought tolerant with age, Geranium 'Elke' looks great spilling over the edges of a path or the front of a bed.
Incorporate plenty of organic matter when planting and water well in dry weather, especially newly established plants. Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted manure or garden compost around the plant to help seal in moisture, feed the soil, and reduce the need for weeding.
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming. If the plant becomes too leggy or untidy later in the season, trim lightly to encourage fresh growth and more flowers.
During the first growing season, regular watering is crucial to establish deep roots. Once established, Geraniums show improved drought tolerance. A feeding of balanced, slow-release fertiliser in spring will support blooming.
At the end of the growing season, cut it back to ground level in late autumn or early spring. Every 3-4 years, consider dividing the plant in spring to maintain its vigour.
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming. If the plant becomes too leggy or untidy later in the season, trim lightly to encourage fresh growth and more flowers.
During the first growing season, regular watering is crucial to establish deep roots. Once established, Geraniums show improved drought tolerance. A feeding of balanced, slow-release fertiliser in spring will support blooming.
At the end of the growing season, cut it back to ground level in late autumn or early spring. Every 3-4 years, consider dividing the plant in spring to maintain its vigour.
