Knotted Cranesbill Geranium nodosum 'Svelte Lilac'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The Geranium nodosum 'Svelte Lilac' is characterized by its beautiful lilac-colored blossoms that are both delicate and alluring. Each flower showcases a soft, pale purple hue with subtle veins that add depth and texture to the petals. The flowers typically have five rounded petals that spread out gracefully from the center, where a cluster of tiny, darker purple stamens can be found. The leaves of this plant are also noteworthy, with a dense, lush green color. They are deeply lobed, somewhat resembling a rounded maple leaf in shape, with a soft, almost velvety texture. These leaves often form a low, spreading mound that serves as a rich backdrop to the flowers. The 'Svelte Lilac' blooms prolifically, with the flowers appearing in clusters atop thin, yet sturdy stems that rise above the foliage. The contrast between the green leaves and the lilac flowers makes for a striking visual display. The stems and leaves can gently sway in the breeze, further adding to the plant's charm. Overall, the Geranium nodosum 'Svelte Lilac' is truly picturesque with its combination of elegant lilac flowers and attractive green foliage, creating a soothing and romantic aesthetic for any garden space.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Synonyms
  Knotted Crane's-bill, Svelte Lilac Geranium.
- Common names
  Geranium nodosum
Toxicity
- To humans
  The Geranium nodosum 'Svelte Lilac', commonly known as the knotted crane's-bill, is not considered highly toxic to humans. However, like many plants, it may cause mild irritation or gastrointestinal discomfort if ingested. The most common symptoms of ingesting parts of the knotted crane's-bill may include nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. It's important to exercise caution and keep plants out of reach of young children who may accidentally ingest plant material.
- To pets
  The knotted crane's-bill is not known to be highly toxic to pets either. If a pet ingests parts of the plant, they might experience similar mild discomfort as humans, such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. While the plant is not considered severely poisonous, it is still advisable to prevent pets from eating it to avoid potential stomach upset.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Semi-deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Lilac
- Height
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Spread
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  5
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attracts pollinators: Geranium nodosum 'Svelte Lilac' attracts bees and butterflies that are essential for pollination.
- Low maintenance: This plant is known for being easy to care for, requiring minimal pruning and feeding.
- Drought-tolerant: Once established, it can survive with relatively little water, making it suitable for drier climates or water-wise gardens.
- Shade tolerance: It can grow in partially shaded areas where other plants might not thrive.
- Ground covering: The plant spreads well and can cover ground effectively, suppressing weeds and reducing soil erosion.
- Long blooming: It has a long flowering period, providing color and interest in the garden for an extended time.
- Deer resistant: Typically, deer do not favor eating this plant, making it a good choice for gardens in areas with deer populations.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Photography Prop: Geranium nodosum 'Svelte Lilac' with its delicate lilac flowers can be used as a picturesque background for macro photography and artistic shots.
- Educational Tool: Horticulture students can study this cultivar for its growth patterns and differences from other geraniums, helping them understand plant genetics and breeding.
- Textile Dyeing: Although not commonly used for dye, the petals of the 'Svelte Lilac' may offer a natural source for creating lilac or light purple dyes for fabrics.
- Art and Craft: The distinct shape and colour of the flowers can be used as inspiration or actual components in floral crafts, such as pressings or botanical collages.
- Garden Borders: Its low-growing and spreading habit makes it an excellent choice for defining garden paths and borders without overshadowing other plant species.
- Insectary Planting: The 'Svelte Lilac' can attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies to the garden, thereby supporting local ecosystems and biodiversity.
- Culinary Decoration: While not common, the flowers can be used to garnish desserts and salads, provided they have not been treated with pesticides.
- Ice Embedments: Freeze the small flowers in ice cube trays to create decorative ice cubes for special events or to add a touch of elegance to drinks.
- Theme Gardens: Ideal for creating a monochrome 'lilac'-themed garden space, alongside other plants with lilac to purple hues.
- Creative Writing Stimulus: The appearance and characteristics of Geranium nodosum 'Svelte Lilac' can be used to stimulate sensory descriptions in poetry and prose.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Geranium is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Geranium is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Unexpected meeting: The geranium is often associated with encounters and serendipity, perhaps due to its widespread use and the ease with which it pops up in gardens and homes.
- True friend: Symbolizing friendship and companionship, gifting a geranium may indicate a deep and meaningful connection between individuals, much like the plant's hardy and reliable nature.
- Comfort: Geraniums are believed to bring comfort and solace, making them a suitable gift for those who are going through tough times or to bring a sense of comfort to a living space.
- Health and healing: Historically, geraniums have been used in folk medicine, representing physical and emotional healing.
- Fertility and new life: Geraniums, with their ability to bloom abundantly, are symbols of fertility and the creation of new life, sometimes used in rituals or celebrations related to childbirth and growth.

💧

Every 7-10 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The Knotweed Cranesbill should be watered regularly, but the soil should be allowed to dry out slightly between waterings to avoid waterlogging. Typically, a deep watering once a week during the growing season is sufficient, depending on the climate and weather conditions. During hot spells, increase the frequency to twice a week, providing about 1 gallon of water per plant each time. In the winter, reduce watering to once every two weeks, unless the plant is indoors and the indoor air is very dry, then water lightly every week.
Light
The Knotweed Cranesbill thrives in partial shade to full sun. It prefers a spot that receives morning sunlight and afternoon shade, especially in areas with hot summers. However, it is adaptable and can still perform well in a sunnier or shadier location as long as it is protected from the intense midday sun.
Temperature
The Knotweed Cranesbill can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, from about 20°F to 85°F. The optimal growing temperature for this cranesbill is between 60°F and 75°F. It can withstand light frost, but prolonged exposure to temperatures below 20°F may damage the plant.
Pruning
Prune the Knotweed Cranesbill to remove dead or damaged foliage and to shape the plant as needed. Pruning can be done in the early spring to promote new growth or just after the first flowering to encourage a second bloom. It is generally recommended to prune lightly once or twice a year or after blooming to maintain plant health and appearance.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Knotted Crane's-bill thrives in well-draining soil enriched with compost and leaf mold. A soil pH range of 5.6 to 7.5 is ideal, slightly acidic to neutral. A mix of two parts garden soil, one part compost, and one part perlite or coarse sand will ensure proper drainage and fertility.
Repotting
Knotted Crane's-bill should be repotted every 2-3 years to refresh the soil and provide room for growth. Spring is the best time for repotting this perennial.
Humidity & Misting
Knotted Crane's-bill prefers moderate humidity levels but is quite adaptable to different humidity conditions as long as it is not extremely dry.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright, indirect light; keep soil moist.
- Outdoor
  Use well-draining soil; partial to full sunlight.
- Hardiness zone
  4-8 USDA
Life cycle
Geranium nodosum 'Svelte Lilac', commonly known as the knotted cranesbill, begins its life cycle with seed germination, occurring in optimal moist and well-drained soil conditions. Emerging seedlings develop into a rosette of leaves before sending up flowering stalks, which display light lilac flowers typically in late spring or early summer. After pollination, achieved with the help of insects, the flowers develop into distinctive beaked seed capsules, which eventually burst, propelling seeds away from the parent plant. The plant enters a phase of vegetative growth, expanding its foliage and forming a dense clump. In favorable conditions, knotted cranesbill may exhibit a semi-evergreen habit, retaining some leaves through mild winters. The plant can also spread through rhizomes, leading to new clonal offshoots and the potential for the life cycle to begin anew with these asexually produced plants.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- Propogation: Geranium nodosum 'Svelte Lilac', commonly known as the Knotted Crane's-bill, is frequently propagated by division. The best time for this procedure is in the spring or early fall when the plant is not in active bloom. To propagate by division, carefully dig up the plant and gently separate the clumps into smaller pieces, ensuring each new section has a piece of the root system attached. These divided parts can then be immediately replanted in the garden or potted up. Make sure to water the new divisions well to help establish them. It is important to maintain even moisture without causing waterlogging and provide ample shade if there is strong summer heat immediately after division to reduce transplant stress.