Geranium Geranium 'Lakwijk Star'
ABOUT
Geranium 'Lakwijk Star', commonly known as cranesbill or hardy geranium, is a perennial plant acclaimed for its ornamental appeal. It features a robust mound of deeply cut, palmately lobed leaves that provide a lush backdrop for its striking floral display. The foliage typically boasts a vibrant green shade that can acquire reddish tones in the autumn, adding to its seasonal interest. The true stars of this variety are the flowers. They bloom profusely and are characterized by their delicate and rounded form. Each blossom displays five petals with a rich, purplish-pink hue that exudes a sense of vibrancy and vitality. The petals may exhibit faint veining or a slight gradation of color, which contributes to the depth and texture of the overall floral presentation. At the center of each flower, tiny stamens form a subtle contrast, often appearing in a lighter shade or a different hue, drawing in pollinators and adding to the plant's charm. Cranesbills tend to display a bushy and spreading habit, creating an effective ground cover or accent in garden borders and beds. The intricate leaves and showy blooms of 'Lakwijk Star' make it an excellent choice for adding bursts of color and variety to outdoor spaces, and its clumping nature ensures it remains an attractive feature throughout the growing season. Noting its propensity for abundant flowering, this plant is a reliable and easy-to-care-for addition to any garden, favored for both its aesthetic qualities and its robustness.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Lakwijk Star Geranium, Crane's-Bill.
Common names
Geranium 'Lakwijk Star'.
ToxicityTo humans
Geraniums, including the Geranium 'Lakwijk Star', are generally considered non-toxic to humans. However, ingestion can sometimes cause mild and typically non-life-threatening symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. It is always wise to keep plants out of the reach of small children who might chew on them out of curiosity.
To pets
Geraniums can be toxic to pets, specifically to dogs and cats. If a pet ingests a geranium, it might experience symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, depression, anorexia, and dermatitis. In severe cases, it might lead to hypotension or even organ damage. Pet owners should be cautious and prevent their pets from ingesting parts of the plant.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
Varies
Native area
South Africa
Benefits
General Benefits- Attractive Blooms: Geranium 'Lakwijk Star', commonly known as cranesbill, produces beautiful star-shaped flowers that add color and beauty to any garden.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, cranesbill has a good tolerance to dry conditions, requiring less frequent watering.
- Easy Maintenance: This plant is known for being low maintenance, requiring minimal care to thrive.
- Pest Resistance: Cranesbill is generally resistant to many common garden pests, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
- Long Flowering Period: Cranesbill typically has a long blooming period, providing color and interest throughout the growing season.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers of cranesbill attract bees and butterflies, which are beneficial for pollination of surrounding plants.
- Ground Cover: With its spreading habit, cranesbill can be used effectively as ground cover, helping to suppress weeds and prevent soil erosion.
- Versatility: Cranesbill is suitable for a variety of garden situations, including borders, rock gardens, and containers.
- Seasonal Interest: In addition to its blooms, cranesbill often has attractive autumn foliage that provides seasonal interest.
- Deer Resistance: Cranesbill is known to be less palatable to deer, which can help prevent damage in areas where deer are a common nuisance.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Photography and Art: The colorful blossoms of Geranium can be used as subjects or inspiration in photography and botanical art, capturing their vibrant hues and intricate patterns.
- Companion Planting: Geraniums can be used in gardens to help protect vegetables from pests, as their scent can deter certain harmful insects.
- Botanical Dyes: Petals of Geraniums can be used in producing natural dyes for fabrics, offering a range of pink and purple tones.
- Perfumery: The essential oils extracted from geranium flowers are sometimes used in perfumery for a sweet floral scent.
- Floral Arrangements: Geraniums can be added to floral arrangements for a splash of color, and their long-lasting flowers make them a popular choice.
- Garden Design: Geraniums, with their mounding habit and vibrant flowers, are ideal for creating visual structure and focal points in landscape design.
- Teaching and Education: The plant can be used in educational settings to teach about pollination, plant biology, and horticulture.
- Potpourri: Dried geranium flowers can be included in potpourri mixes for a pleasant fragrance in homes.
- Textile Printing: The shapes and patterns of geranium leaves and flowers can be used in textile printing to create botanical designs on fabric.
- Culinary Garnishing: Although not commonly known for edibility, some geranium petals are edible and can be used as an attractive garnish in culinary presentations.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Geranium is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Geranium is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Unexpected Meeting: Geranium 'Lakwijk Star', as with many geraniums, is associated with encounters that are serendipitous or surprise meetings with others.
- Friendship: Geraniums can symbolize close bonds between friends, possibly because they are hearty plants that can grow in close proximity to each other.
- Health and Wellness: The geranium plant is often connected with overall well-being, partially due to its use in folk medicine and aromatherapy.
- Fertility: Fertility is sometimes symbolized by geraniums because of their prolific blooming and ability to propagate easily.
- Happiness and Positive Emotions: The bright flowers of the geranium are often linked to cheerfulness and maintaining a positive outlook.
WaterThe Geranium, commonly known by the name Cranesbill, should be watered deeply once every week, ensuring the soil is moist but not waterlogged. During the hot summer months, water the Cranesbill twice a week, providing approximately a gallon of water at each session, depending on the size of the plant and the environmental conditions. Reduce watering during the winter months when plant growth slows down, adhering to the general rule of thumb of allowing the soil to dry out between watering sessions to prevent root rot. Adequate drainage is essential to prevent excess water retention in the soil.
LightCranesbill thrives best in full sun to part shade. It is ideal to place the plant in a spot where it will receive at least 4 to 6 hours of sunlight daily, though some afternoon shade is beneficial in areas with particularly hot summers. Avoid deep shade as this can lead to leggy growth and fewer blooms.
TemperatureCranesbill geraniums prefer a temperature range between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit but can survive in temperatures as low as 20 degrees and as high as 85 degrees. They are quite hardy but should be protected from frost, which can damage the leaves and stems.
PruningPrune Cranesbill to encourage bushy growth and to remove spent flowers, which promotes further blooming. Light pruning can be done anytime during the growing season, but a more thorough cut back is beneficial after the first wave of blooming subsides, usually mid-summer. Some varieties may also benefit from a final pruning in late autumn to tidy up the plant before winter.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe best soil mix for Geranium 'Lakwijk Star', commonly known as cranesbill, should be well-draining and fertile, with a mix of peat, perlite, and compost. The ideal pH for this plant ranges from 5.8 to 6.3.
RepottingCranesbill should ideally be repotted every 1 to 2 years to replenish the soil nutrients and to accommodate root growth. Use fresh potting mix when repotting.
Humidity & MistingCranesbill thrives best in moderate humidity levels, avoiding excessively dry or highly humid environments. Ambient room humidity is generally sufficient.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place cranesbill near bright indirect light and maintain moist soil.
Outdoor
Ensure full sun to partial shade and protect from harsh winds.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleThe Geranium 'Lakwijk Star', also known as the Cranesbill, initiates its life cycle when the seeds germinate in the soil, given the right conditions of warmth and moisture. These seeds grow into seedlings with characteristically rounded leaves, and as the plant matures, it enters a vegetative stage where it develops a strong root system and foliar growth. Eventually, it reaches flowering maturity, producing distinctive purplish-pink flowers with veining and a white center, which typically occurs in the late spring and early summer. After pollination, often by insects, the flowers develop into fruit with a long beak-like structure, which inspires the name "Cranesbill." The seeds are then dispersed, often when the beak-like structure explosively releases them, allowing for the potential colonization of new areas. Finally, the plant enters a period of dormancy during the colder months, with the perennial parts surviving underground to regrow in the following season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: The Geranium 'Lakwijk Star', commonly known as a type of cranesbill geranium, is best propagated during spring or early summer. The most popular method for propagating this plant is by cuttings. To do this, select a healthy stem that is about 4 to 6 inches long, with several leaves, and cut it just below a leaf node using a sharp, sterilized pair of scissors or a knife. Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting to prevent them from rotting when planted. Dip the cut end in a rooting hormone powder to enhance root development. Plant the cutting in a pot filled with moist potting mix or a sand-peat blend, then cover it with a plastic bag to create a mini greenhouse effect. Place the pot in indirect light and wait a few weeks for roots to develop, making sure the soil stays consistently moist but not waterlogged. After roots have formed, which can generally be verified by a gentle tug resistance, the new plant can be transplanted into the garden or a larger pot.
