Geranium cinereum, the ashy cranesbill, is a species of flowering plant in the family Geraniaceae, native to the Pyrenees. Growing to 50 cm (20 in) tall and wide, it is a small, deciduous or semi-evergreen perennial usually grown for low ground cover, rockeries or underplanting larger subjects like roses. Leaves are deeply divided and grey-green – whence the Latin specific epithet cinereum "ash-grey".[1] It flowers in summer, with striking black-eyed flowers with black stamens. The plant grows in full sunlight, and is hardy down to −15 °C (5 °F).

Geranium cinereum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Geraniales
Family: Geraniaceae
Genus: Geranium
Species:
G. cinereum
Binomial name
Geranium cinereum
Cav., 1787

In cultivation in the UK the following cultivars in the Cinereum Group have been given a Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit:-[2]

  • 'Ballerina'[3]
  • Blue Sunrise = 'Blogold'[4]
  • 'Giuseppe'[5]
  • Rothbury Gem = ‘Gerfos’[6]

References

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  1. ^ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for Gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. ISBN 978-1845337315.
  2. ^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 42. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  3. ^ "RHS Plantfinder - Geranium (Cinereum Group) 'Ballerina'". Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  4. ^ "RHS Plantfinder - Geranium Blue Sunrise = 'Blogold'". Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  5. ^ "RHS Plantfinder - Geranium subcaulescens 'Giuseppe'". Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  6. ^ "RHS Plantfinder - Geranium (Cinereum Group) Rothbury Gem = 'Gerfos'". Retrieved 1 March 2018.
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