Geranium palustre aka Geranium Palustre

Geranium palustre is a perennial in the Geraniaceae family. Gardeners know it as marsh cranesbill or marsh geranium. Its native range runs from Europe to southwestern Siberia and the Caucasus. It grows in temperate regions but is not native to Britain or Ireland. It loses its leaves each year and forms low, bushy clumps.

Plants reach about 0.3–1.6 feet (0.1–0.5 metres) tall in gardens. Their spread reaches about 1.6–3.3 feet (0.5–1 metre). They take two to five years to reach full size. The green leaves have deep divisions and form a mound. Slender flower stems rise from a central rootstock above the leaves. This low form suits ground cover and the front of borders. It also fits beneath roses and shrubs, or among bedding plants.

The flowers change shape as they open. At first, each bloom has a trumpet-like form. The wedge-shaped petals spread apart as the flower opens wider. This gives the open bloom a star-like outline. The RHS describes bright pink flowers; Chicago Botanic Garden lists pink and purple. Chicago records flowering from May through August. The RHS also notes a long bloom season. The leaves and flowers help the plant keep a fresh look through that season.

Grow marsh cranesbill in full sun or partial shade. It accepts chalk, clay, loam, and sandy soils. Acid, neutral, and alkaline soils all suit it. The RHS recommends soil with moderate fertility and good drainage. Moist soil suits it, though it also tolerates wet and dry conditions. It can grow in grass as well as garden beds. The RHS rates its hardiness H5 for UK conditions. Chicago Botanic Garden lists USDA zones 7–10. These ratings come from different systems and should remain separate.

Use it in informal gardens, wildlife gardens, beds, or borders. Remove spent flower stems and old leaves to prompt fresh growth and flowers. Divide plants in spring to make more plants. Basal softwood cuttings offer another option in early to mid-spring. The RHS advises bottom heat to help those cuttings root. Watch for vine weevil, capsid bug, and geranium sawfly. Downy mildew and powdery mildew may also affect plants. The supplied sources do not establish edible uses or toxicity.