Ashy Cranesbill Geranium (Cinereum Group) 'Laurence Flatman'
ABOUT
The Geranium 'Laurence Flatman' is a charming flowering plant known for its compact, mound-forming habit. The leaves are deeply lobed, with a pattern that resembles that of a hand with spread fingers. They are lush and take on an attractive green hue that can turn reddish in fall, adding to the visual interest of the plant. The blooms of 'Laurence Flatman' are particularly noteworthy. They adorn the plant with their striking bicolored petals, typically in shades of pink with deep purple veins radiating from the center towards the margins. The center of each flower is marked by a small, darker eye that adds contrast and depth to the overall floral display. These blossoms are saucer-shaped and tend to cover the foliage when in full bloom, creating a dense blanket of color that is highly appealing. This plant usually flowers over a long period, often starting in late spring and continuing throughout the summer, which makes it a favorite among gardeners who are looking to add a prolonged burst of color to their gardens. Despite its delicate appearance, it is known for its hardiness and ability to withstand various garden conditions, although, like most plants, it has its preferences. Notably, despite its luxurious spread of foliage and flowers, 'Laurence Flatman' remains a compact plant, fitting into garden spaces with ease and blending well with other plants to create a cohesive and visually engaging landscape. It's an ideal choice for borders, rock gardens, or as ground cover, offering both texture and color to any gardening endeavor.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Geraniaceae.
Synonyms
No common names available for this specific cultivar.
Common names
Geranium cinereum 'Laurence Flatman'
ToxicityTo humans
Geraniums are generally considered non-toxic to humans, and there is no specific information that Geranium 'Laurence Flatman' poses any harm if touched or ingested. However, it is always possible for individuals to have a sensitivity or allergic reaction to any plant, resulting in symptoms like skin irritation, rashes, or gastrointestinal discomfort.
To pets
Geraniums are known to be toxic to pets, particularly to cats and dogs. If a pet ingests a part of the Geranium 'Laurence Flatman', it could lead to symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, depression, anorexia, and dermatitis. In cats, it can also cause ataxia (lack of muscle coordination). It is important to prevent pets from ingesting this plant to avoid these potentially harmful effects.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
0.5 feet (15 cm)
Spread
1 feet (30 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Attractive flowering – Geranium 'Laurence Flatman' produces vibrant pink flowers with purple veining, adding color and visual interest to gardens.
- Ground cover – This geranium species is often used as ground cover due to its low-growing habit, providing a lush carpet of foliage.
- Drought tolerance – Once established, it has a degree of drought tolerance, making it suitable for xeriscaping or areas with low water availability.
- Low maintenance – It requires minimal care once established, making it a good choice for gardeners looking for low-maintenance plants.
- Pest resistance – Geranium 'Laurence Flatman' is generally resistant to common garden pests, resulting in fewer pest management needs.
- Attracts pollinators – The flowers attract bees and other pollinators, which are beneficial for the garden's health and for pollinating other plants.
- Adaptable – It is adaptable to a variety of soil types, though it prefers well-drained soil.
- Seasonal interest – In addition to spring and summer blooms, some foliage of Geranium 'Laurence Flatman' may provide autumnal color, offering multi-season interest.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- As a natural dye: Geranium petals and leaves can be boiled to extract color for use in natural fabric or paper dying processes.
- In crafts: Dried geranium leaves and flowers can be used in potpourri mixes, or in creating decorative items such as bookmarks and greeting cards.
- Garden design: Their compact growth habit makes them well-suited for creating intricate patterns or designs in formal bedding displays.
- Companion planting: Geraniums can be planted among vegetables like tomatoes to help deter pests with their strong scent.
- Culinary decoration: Edible varieties of geranium flowers can adorn salads or desserts for an elegant touch.
- Photography subjects: The vibrant colors and detailed structure of geranium flowers make them a great subject for macro photography enthusiasts.
- Educational tool: Geraniums can be used to help teach children or gardening beginners about plant care and pollination.
- Floral language: In the language of flowers, geraniums can symbolize friendship or good health, and could be gifted as such.
- In bookmarks: Pressed geranium flowers and leaves can be used to create delicate bookmarks.
- Art inspiration: Their variety of forms and colors can inspire paintings, textile patterns, or other forms of artistic expression.
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: Geraniums often symbolize an unexpected encounter. The 'Laurence Flatman' variety, with its unique and striking appearance, might remind one of a surprising or serendipitous meeting with someone.
- Friendship: Like many geraniums, this variety can represent friendship, suggesting a bond that is both pleasant and enduring, much like the plant's hardy nature and long-lasting blooms.
- Health: The geranium is sometimes associated with good health and a wish for someone's well-being, possibly because they are often used in traditional medicine and are a staple in many gardens, symbolizing vitality.
- True feelings: The distinct appearance of the 'Laurence Flatman' geranium could be a gesture of showing true feelings or affections, as geraniums are often connected with honesty and openness.
WaterFor the Hardy Geranium, water deeply once a week, ensuring that the soil is moist but not waterlogged. During hot weather or drought conditions, increase watering to every three to four days, supplying the plants with at least one inch of water each time. Reduce watering in the fall and water sparingly during winter, enough to prevent the soil from completely drying out. Always check the soil moisture before watering; the top inch should feel dry to the touch. Be cautious not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot.
LightThe Hardy Geranium thrives in full sun to partial shade. It prefers a location that receives several hours of direct sunlight every day, ideally in the morning with some afternoon shade to protect it from the hottest part of the day. Plants grown in too much shade may become leggy and bloom less prolifically.
TemperatureHardy Geraniums perform well in a wide range of temperature conditions and can survive winter lows down to 20°F. The ideal growth temperatures range from 65°F to 75°F. During extreme summer heat above 85°F, plants may benefit from some protection, like partial shade or additional watering to stay cool.
PruningPrune Hardy Geraniums to encourage bushy growth and to remove spent flowers and any damaged or discolored leaves, which promotes the development of new blooms. Perform this task in late spring or early summer and again in late summer if necessary. The best time for a more extensive cutback is late autumn or early spring when the plant is dormant.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Hardy Geranium prefers well-draining soil enriched with organic matter. An ideal mix would consist of equal parts garden soil, peat moss, and perlite or coarse sand to facilitate drainage. The soil pH should be neutral to slightly acidic, around 5.8 to 6.3 for optimal growth.
RepottingHardy Geraniums generally do not need frequent repotting and can thrive in the same pot for several years. Repotting is typically done every 3-4 years or when the plant has outgrown its current container.
Humidity & MistingHardy Geraniums are adaptable to a wide range of humidity levels. They do well in average home humidity but prefer not to be in overly humid conditions. Therefore, no specific humidity level is required for these plants.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light and ensure good air circulation.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade to full sun with well-draining soil.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleThe life of 'Laurence Flatman' Geranium, commonly known as the Ashy Cranesbill, begins with seed germination, which occurs in favorable conditions of moisture and temperature, typically in spring. Once germinated, the seedling stage involves the sprouting of the initial leaves and root system establishment, followed by the vegetative stage where the plant experiences rapid growth of foliage. The plant then enters the flowering stage where distinctive pink flowers with dark veins and white centers bloom, usually from late spring through to summer. After pollination, typically by insects, the plant sets seed within the characteristic beak-like fruit capsules indicative of the Geranium genus. These seeds, once mature, are dispersed by various means, including wind and animal vectors, to begin a new cycle. In optimal conditions, 'Laurence Flatman' Geranium can also reproduce vegetatively through division of the rootstock, thus skipping the seed stage in the life cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Early spring
The ideal time to propagate the Geranium, commonly known as Cranesbill, is in late summer to early fall. One of the most popular propagation methods for Cranesbill is by division. This process involves carefully digging up the plant, making sure to keep a good amount of soil around the roots. The clump of Cranesbill is then gently pulled apart into smaller sections, each with several shoots and a healthy root system. These individual sections can be immediately replanted in well-draining soil, spaced about 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 centimeters) apart, and watered thoroughly to establish the new plants. This method ensures that the new plants will be true to the parent, maintaining the same characteristics such as flower color and habit. Division is typically a straightforward and effective way to create more Cranesbill plants for the garden or to share with fellow gardeners.
