Wargrave Pink Geranium Geranium × oxonianum 'Wargrave Pink'

👤 Non-toxic to humans
🐾 Non-toxic to pets
🌸 Blooming
🍪 Not edible
‍🌱 Easy-care
cranesbill 'Wargrave Pink'

ABOUT

Geranium 'Wargrave Pink' is a stunning perennial plant that boasts an alluring display of pink flowers. These blossoms have a soft, salmon-pink hue, exuding a delicate charm that can brighten up any garden space. Each flower features five rounded petals that are slightly veined, providing them with texture and depth. At the center of these floral beauties, one can often find a hub of prominent stamens that are visible and add to the intricate look of the flower. The foliage of Geranium 'Wargrave Pink' is equally attractive, consisting of leaves that are lush and deeply lobed, creating a palmate appearance. These leaves are a rich green in color, forming a dense and bushy mat that serves as the perfect backdrop for the pink flowers. The foliage often turns to hues of red and bronze in the autumn, adding another layer of interest to the plant's year-round display. Geranium 'Wargrave Pink' flowers are known to bloom prolifically from late spring to early summer, but with proper care and deadheading, the plant can often continue to produce its pleasant blossoms intermittently throughout the summer and into the autumn season. This plant has a spreading habit, with stems that can arch gracefully as they bear the weight of the flowers and leaves. The overall impression Geranium 'Wargrave Pink' gives is one of a lush, mounding cluster that exudes an informal and cottage garden aesthetic. Easy to grow and maintain, this variety is a favorite among gardeners for its ability to spread and fill in spaces, as well as for its long blooming period and the soft touch of color it brings to any landscape.

Plant Info
Care
Common Problems

About this plant

  • memoNames

    • Family

      Geraniaceae

    • Synonyms

      Wargrave Pink Cranesbill, Oxford Geranium, Wargrave Pink Hardy Geranium

    • Common names

      Geranium × oxonianum 'Wargrave Pink'.

  • skullToxicity

    • To humans

      The plant commonly known as Hardy Geranium is not considered toxic to humans. There are no well-documented symptoms of poisoning from ingesting this plant as it is generally understood to be non-toxic.

    • To pets

      Hardy Geranium is also considered non-toxic to pets. It is not associated with poisoning, and there should be no symptoms or adverse consequences from ingesting this plant in pets.

  • infoCharacteristics

    • Life cycle

      Perennials

    • Foliage type

      Deciduous

    • Color of leaves

      Green

    • Flower color

      Pink

    • Height

      2 feet (0.6 meters)

    • Spread

      2 feet (0.6 meters)

    • Plant type

      Herb

    • Hardiness zones

      5

    • Native area

      Europe

Benefits

  • money-bagGeneral Benefits

    • Attractive Flowers: Provides a profusion of salmon-pink flowers that add color and visual appeal to gardens and landscapes.
    • Extended Blooming Period: Offers a long flowering season, typically from late spring to early fall, ensuring a lasting display of blooms.
    • Drought Tolerance: Once established, it is relatively drought tolerant, making it suitable for gardens in drier climates or for water-efficient landscaping.
    • Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care, which is ideal for gardeners who prefer plants that do not need constant attention.
    • Ground Cover: Its dense growth habit makes it an excellent ground cover, helping to suppress weeds and reduce soil erosion.
    • Attracts Pollinators: Flowers are attractive to bees and other pollinating insects, supporting biodiversity in the garden.
    • Cold Hardy: It is resilient in colder temperatures, making it suitable for a variety of climates and extending its range of use.
    • Rabbit Resistant: The plant is generally not favored by rabbits, reducing the likelihood of damage from wildlife browsing.

  • medicalMedical Properties

    This plant is not used for medical purposes.

  • windAir-purifying Qualities

    This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.

  • leavesOther Uses

    • Artistic Inspiration: Artists and photographers may use the 'Wargrave Pink' as a subject due to its attractive flowers and foliage.
    • Educational Tool: Horticulture teachers can utilize this plant to demonstrate pruning techniques and perennial plant care to students.
    • Companion Planting: Gardeners often plant 'Wargrave Pink' alongside roses and shrubs to complement their growth and create aesthetically pleasing garden designs.
    • Natural Mulch Alternative: Once 'Wargrave Pink' foliage dies back, it can be left in place to decompose and enrich the soil, acting as a natural mulch.
    • Garden Borders: Its low, spreading growth habit makes 'Wargrave Pink' suitable for defining garden paths and property lines.
    • Dye Source: The petals of the 'Wargrave Pink' could potentially be used to create natural dyes for fabrics or crafts.
    • Wedding Decor: The soft pink flowers can be incorporated into wedding bouquets, centerpieces, or venue décor for a natural touch.
    • Photography Prop: The plant can be used by photographers to add a splash of color and texture in portrait or product photography.
    • Craft Projects: Dried 'Wargrave Pink' blooms can be used in various DIY craft projects such as homemade potpourri or pressed flower arrangements.
    • Herbal Teas: Although not medically endorsed, some people may use the leaves to make a mild, aromatic herbal tea.

Interesting Facts

  • bedFeng Shui

    The Geranium is not used in Feng Shui practice.

  • spiralPlant Symbolism

    • Unexpected Meeting: The Geranium is sometimes associated with an unexpected encounter, as it is a plant that may suddenly catch someone's eye with its bright blooms.
    • True Friendship: Geraniums, in general, symbolize strong bonds of friendship as they are hardy plants that can flourish in various conditions, much like the enduring nature of friendship.
    • Comfort: 'Wargrave Pink', with its soft, warm color, is often thought to represent solace and the comforting feeling of being cared for, reflecting the nurturing aspect of some relationships.
    • Good Health: The robust nature of the Geranium × oxonianum 'Wargrave Pink' likely contributes to its symbolism of good health and a hale constitution.

💧
Every week to 10 days
Water
☀️
2500 - 10000 Lux
Light
💦️
5%
Humidity
🪴
Every 2-3 years
Repotting
🌱️
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation
✂️️
As needed
Pruning
  • water dropWater

    Wargrave Pink Geraniums should be watered deeply once every week to ten days, depending on the weather, ensuring the soil is moist but not waterlogged. During the hot summer months, you may need to increase watering frequency, but always check the top inch of soil for dryness before adding more water. In general, aim for about one to one and a half gallons of water per plant for each watering session. During the winter or in cooler climates, reduce the amount of water as the plant's growth slows down and the soil retains moisture longer. It's important not to let the plants sit in standing water to prevent root rot.

  • sunLight

    Wargrave Pink Geraniums prefer a spot that offers full sun to partial shade. Ideally, they should receive at least 4 to 6 hours of sunlight daily for optimal growth and blooming. If placed in too much shade, the plants may become leggy and produce fewer flowers. The best lighting condition for this plant is bright, indirect light which encourages the most vibrant blooms.

  • thermometerTemperature

    Wargrave Pink Geranium thrives in a temperature range between 60°F and 75°F. It will survive minimum temperatures down to about 30°F, but frost can damage the plant, so it’s best to protect it or move it indoors when cold weather strikes. The ideal temperature conditions for robust growth and flowering are daytime temperatures around the mid-70s°F and slightly cooler temperatures at night.

  • scissorsPruning

    Pruning Wargrave Pink Geraniums is important to encourage bushier growth and more flowers. Remove dead leaves and spent blooms regularly to maintain plant health and appearance. The best time to prune for shape is in early spring before new growth begins. Cut back up to one-third of the plant to promote fresh growth and improve air circulation, doing this can be done every year or every other year, as needed.

  • broomCleaning

    As needed

  • bambooSoil

    Wargrave Pink Geranium prefers well-draining soil enriched with organic matter, such as compost or peat moss, to retain moisture without waterlogging. The ideal soil pH for this plant ranges from slightly acidic to neutral, around 5.8 to 7.0. A mix of two parts garden soil to one part compost and one part perlite or coarse sand can make for an excellent soil base.

  • plantRepotting

    Wargrave Pink Geraniums do not need frequent repotting and can thrive in the same pot for several years as they have a relatively non-invasive root system. It is generally advised to repot these plants every 2 to 3 years to refresh the soil and to accommodate any significant growth.

  • water dropsHumidity & Misting

    Wargrave Pink Geraniums are relatively adaptable to various humidity levels, but they prefer average to slightly above-average humidity. Typically, maintaining humidity levels around 50-60% is adequate for this plant, making it suitable for most indoor environments without the need for additional humidity control.

  • pinSuitable locations

    • Indoor

      Place in bright, indirect light and water when topsoil is dry.

    • Outdoor

      Choose a sunny spot, shield from intense midday sun, and water regularly.

    • Hardiness zone

      5-9 USDA

  • circleLife cycle

    Geranium × oxonianum 'Wargrave Pink', commonly known as Wargrave Pink Cranesbill, begins its life cycle as a seed, which germinates in spring under optimal light and moist soil conditions. The seedling emerges and develops into a juvenile plant with characteristic geranium foliage, growing increasingly robust as it matures. As the plant reaches maturity, it produces distinctive salmon-pink flowers with veining, typically blooming from late spring to midsummer, and even into autumn in favorable conditions. After pollination, which is often facilitated by insects, the flowers develop into fruit capsules resembling a crane’s bill, which eventually release seeds for the next generation. Throughout its life, Wargrave Pink Cranesbill will undergo periods of active growth in the warmer months and dormancy during colder months, with some foliage potentially remaining evergreen in milder climates. The plant can live for many years, spreading through rhizomes and self-seeding, creating large clumps in garden settings.

  • sproutPropogation

    • Propogation time

      Spring-Early Summer

    • The most popular method for propagating Geranium × oxonianum 'Wargrave Pink', commonly known as Wargrave Pink Cranesbill, is through division. This process is best undertaken in the spring or early fall, when the plant is actively growing but not in full bloom. To propagate by division, carefully dig around the plant and lift it from the ground, ensuring as much of the root system as possible is intact. Gently separate the plant into smaller sections, each with a portion of the root system. The divisions can then be immediately replanted in well-draining soil, spaced about 12 to 24 inches (approximately 30 to 60 centimeters) apart to allow for adequate growth. Water the new plants thoroughly after planting to help establish them. This method is effective as it helps rejuvenate older plants while providing new ones that are genetically identical to the parent plant.