Geranium Phaem – 2 litre pot

I have grown this beautiful hardy geranium for over 20 years here.  Commonly called dusky crane’s-bill, mourning widow or black widow, it was part of Victorian “Mourning Gardens” which were very popular at the time.  The Victorians made death into a whole series of plantings in this very dark purple colour as a sign of their enduring love and respect for their loved ones.

As with all Cranesbill it is perfectly hardy and provides a thick mat of ground covering foliage for a shaded or semi shaded border.  It is quite a well behaved plant growing steadily into a nice upright clump but not being a nuisance by expanding too quickly or overpowering other plants.    She flowers from late spring into early summer and repeats quite well if chopped down giving a second flush.