Meadow cranesbill 'Striatum' Geranium pratense 'Striatum'
ABOUT
'Striatum' is a clump-forming perennial with hairy stems and deeply-lobed foliage. The saucer-shaped, white flowers with variable violet-blue stripes appear in early to mid-summer
About this plant
NamesFamily
Geraniaceae.
Synonyms
Meadow Crane's-bill 'Splish Splash', Striped Meadow Crane's-bill, Splish Splash Geranium.
Common names
Geranium pratense 'Striatum'.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Veined light purple
Height
2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Geranium pratense 'Striatum', commonly known as Meadow Cranesbill, draws in beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, assisting in pollination of surrounding plants.
- Aesthetic Appeal: With its delicate, veined flowers and attractive foliage, Meadow Cranesbill adds visual interest and beauty to gardens and landscapes.
- Drought Resistance: Once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant, making it suitable for gardens in dryer climates or for water-wise landscaping.
- Low Maintenance: This plant requires minimal care once established, making it a good choice for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Tolerance of Various Soil Types: It can grow in a wide range of soil conditions, from clay to loamy soils, making it versatile for different garden settings.
- Cold Hardy: Meadow Cranesbill is able to withstand cold temperatures, making it suitable for gardens in cooler climates.
- Wildlife Habitat: It can provide shelter and food for various small wildlife, contributing to local biodiversity.
- Seasonal Interest: Offers visual interest across multiple seasons with its changing foliage and flowering cycle.
- Erosion Control: The plant's root system helps to stabilize soil and prevent erosion, especially in sloped areas of the garden.
- Companion Planting: Can be used in companion planting to benefit nearby plants by attracting the right insects or providing ground cover.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Gardening Education - The meadow cranesbill, being a variety with distinct veining, can be used as a visual guide in gardening workshops to teach about plant identification and characteristics.
- Natural Dye - The roots of the meadow cranesbill can be used to produce a natural dye for fabrics, offering a sustainable alternative to chemical dyes.
- Photography Prop - With its intricate vein patterns, the meadow cranesbill can serve as an interesting subject for macro photography enthusiasts.
- Artistic Inspiration - Artists may draw inspiration from the unique patterns and forms of the meadow cranesbill for various forms of artwork, including patterns for textiles and prints.
- Culinary Garnish - Although not commonly eaten, the flowers can be used as an edible garnish to add a splash of color to salads and desserts.
- Floral Arrangements - The meadow cranesbill can add a wildflower aesthetic to bouquets and floral arrangements with its delicate blooms and foliage.
- Butterfly and Bee Gardens - Planting meadow cranesbill can attract pollinators like butterflies and bees, contributing to the health of the local ecosystem.
- Companion Planting - This plant can be used in companion planting to help deter pests from more sensitive plants in the garden with its robust presence and hardiness.
- Ground Cover - The dense foliage of the meadow cranesbill can be used to provide an attractive ground cover that suppresses weeds in garden beds.
- Erosion Control - The spreading habit and root system of the meadow cranesbill make it useful for stabilizing soil in areas prone to erosion.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Meadow Cranesbill is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Meadow Cranesbill is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Unity: The geranium family often symbolizes togetherness and unity, indicating a bond or close relationship between individuals.
- Friendship: Geraniums are typically associated with friendship, making them an ideal gift between friends or to celebrate a new friendship.
- Stability: With its strong stems and hearty foliage, the “Meadow Cranesbill” variety represents stability and reliability in various cultural contexts.
- True Love: The geranium signifies true love and commitment, making it appropriate for romantic occasions or to express deep affection.
- Healing: Some types of geraniums are known for their medicinal properties, and this has lent the plant symbolic meanings related to healing and recovery.
- Peace: The soothing nature of the “Meadow Cranesbill” bloom is often linked to peace and tranquility, making them suitable for spaces designed for relaxation.
WaterMeadow Cranesbill should be watered deeply once or twice a week, depending on the weather conditions. If the top inch of soil is dry, it's time to water again. Generally, adding about 1 to 1.5 inches of water each week is adequate to keep the soil evenly moist, but not waterlogged. During hotter and drier periods, increase the frequency of watering to ensure the plant stays hydrated. If possible, water early in the morning to allow foliage to dry out during the day and decrease the likelihood of disease.
LightMeadow Cranesbill thrives in full sun to partial shade. The ideal spot for this plant is an area that receives several hours of sunshine but is protected from the harsh afternoon sun. Dappled sunlight beneath tree canopies or eastern exposures are optimal to maintain vibrant flower color and promote healthy growth.
TemperatureMeadow Cranesbill prefers moderate temperatures and typically fares well in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 7. The plant can endure minimum winter temperatures of -20 to -5 ˚F. The optimal growing temperature for Meadow Cranesbill is between 60 and 70 ˚F. Extreme heat above 85 ˚F may stress the plant and require additional measures to maintain moisture.
PruningMeadow Cranesbill benefits from pruning to remove spent flowers and encourage a second blooming. Lightly prune the plant immediately after the first flowering has finished, usually in late spring or early summer. Pruning not only stimulates new growth but also helps maintain a tidy, compact form. In late fall or early winter, cut back the entire plant to ground level to prepare for next year's growth.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Meadow Crane's-bill, or Geranium pratense 'Striatum', thrives best in a soil mix that is well-draining, fertile, and loamy, with a pH ranging from slightly acidic to neutral (5.8 to 7.0). A blend of garden soil, compost, and sharp sand or perlite can provide the ideal structure and nutrients needed for this plant's robust growth.
RepottingMeadow Crane's-bill doesn't typically require frequent repotting, and it can be done every 3-4 years or when the plant has outgrown its current container. It is best to repot in the spring, when the plant is entering a period of active growth.
Humidity & MistingThe Meadow Crane's-bill prefers a moderate humidity level but is quite adaptable to varying conditions. It doesn't require any special humidity adjustments when grown outdoors in its suitable hardiness zones.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide bright indirect light and moderate watering.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun to part shade in well-draining soil.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleGeranium pratense 'Striatum', commonly known as Meadow Cranesbill, starts its life cycle as a seed, which when sown in the ground and with proper conditions, will germinate into a small seedling. The seedling then grows into a vegetative stage, developing a rosette of foliage at the ground level and expanding its root system. As it matures, Meadow Cranesbill enters the flowering stage, producing distinctive pale blue or violet flowers with prominent dark veins or stripes. After pollination, typically by bees or other insects, the flowers develop into beaked fruit capsules resembling a crane's bill, which eventually burst, dispersing seeds for the next generation. Over winter, the plant dies back to its rootstock, entering a period of dormancy, only to regrow the following spring. The Meadow Cranesbill is a perennial plant, and this life cycle repeats annually for several years.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The Geranium pratense 'Striatum', commonly known as Striped or Splish-Splash Crane's-bill, is most commonly propagated by division. The best time for this method is either in the spring as new growth appears or in the autumn when the plant's growth begins to slow. To propagate by division, dig up the entire plant and gently separate it into smaller sections, ensuring that each new section has a part of the root system attached. These sections can then be replanted into prepared soil, spaced about 18 inches (approximately 45 centimeters) apart to allow for growth. Water the new plantings thoroughly to help establish them. This method is relatively simple and helps to rejuvenate older plants that have become too large or crowded.
