Wlassov's cranesbill Geranium wlassovianum

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

G. wlassovianum is a clump-forming, softly hairy, herbaceous perennial growing to about 60cm in height and spread. The leaves are flushed with purple-bronze in spring and summer and red in autumn. Bears loose sprays of long-lasting, purple-pink or pink flowers with five distinct petals, from midsummer to early autumn

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Geraniaceae
- Synonyms
  Wlassov's Geranium, Wlassow's Geranium
- Common names
  Geranium wlassovianum Fisch. ex Link.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Varies
- Flower color
  Purple
- Height
  1 foot 3-4 inches (40-50 cm)
- Spread
  1 foot 3-4 inches (40-50 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  4
- Native area
  Eastern Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attractive Foliage: Geranium wlassovianum has attractive foliage that changes color with the seasons, providing visual interest in a garden or landscape setting.
- Low Maintenance: It is known for being a low-maintenance plant, requiring minimal care once established.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, this plant exhibits good drought tolerance, making it suitable for xeriscaping and water-wise gardens.
- Ground Cover: With its spreading habit, it provides excellent ground cover, helping to suppress weeds and protect the soil from erosion.
- Pollinator Friendly: It attracts bees and butterflies, contributing to pollinator health and biodiversity in the garden.
- Deer Resistance: Generally resistant to deer, which makes it a good choice for gardens in areas with high deer populations.
- Seasonal Interest: It has a long flowering period, offering seasonal interest throughout the growing months with its pretty purplish-blue flowers.
- Easy Propagation: The plant can be easily propagated from cuttings or by division, making it simple for gardeners to expand their plantings or share with others.
- Non-Invasive: Geranium wlassovianum is not considered invasive, making it an environmentally responsible choice for local ecosystems.
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
- Natural dye: Geranium wlassovianum's flowers and leaves can be used to create natural dyes for textiles, offering shades of green to brown depending on the mordant used.
- Garden design: Due to its clumping habit and attractive foliage, it can be used in garden designs as a low-maintenance ground cover or border plant.
- Aromatic oil: The plant’s leaves can be infused in oils to capture its scent, which can be used in homemade potpourris or natural perfumes.
- Garden insect deterrent: The plant’s natural scent can help deter certain insects, making it a companion plant for vegetable gardens or around outdoor seating areas.
- Eco-friendly confetti: Dried petals of the Geranium wlassovianum can be used as a biodegradable confetti option for outdoor celebrations.
- Craft projects: Fresh or dried leaves and petals can be used in pressed flower art or other craft projects like homemade paper or bookmarks.
- Photography prop: The plant with its flowers can be used as a subject or backdrop for nature photography due to its striking appearance.
- Relaxing bath additive: The petals can be added to bathwater for a visually appealing and potentially calming bath experience.
- Culinary decoration: The flowers, while not a traditional edible, can be used as a decorative garnish for desserts and salads after ensuring they're free from pesticides or other chemicals.
- Floral arrangements: Fresh-cut flowers can be used in floral arrangements for their delicate appearance and to add a pop of color.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The plant Geranium is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The plant Geranium is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Unity: Geraniums often symbolize togetherness and unity, reflecting the plant's tendency to grow in close clusters and create a sense of community.
- Friendship: Given as gifts, geraniums can represent friendship, suggesting a deepening of the bond between two people. Wlassov's Geranium, with its pretty flowers, might be seen as a token of appreciation between friends.
- Health/Healing: Certain types of geraniums are known for their medicinal properties, thus they can be associated with health and healing. Wlassov's Geranium might carry this symbolism due to its place within the geranium family.
- Balance: Geraniums are often associated with balance, possibly due to their bilateral symmetry, indicating harmony and stability in life or relationships.
- Peace: The soothing appearance of Wlassov's Geranium, with its soft colored flowers, can represent tranquility and peace, providing a calming effect in gardens and indoor settings.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The Wlassov's Cranesbill should be watered regularly but it is important to allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings to prevent root rot. During the growing season, this may mean watering once a week with about 1 to 1.5 gallons of water depending on the size of the plant and environmental conditions. Reduce the frequency of watering in the fall and winter months when plant growth naturally slows. Make sure to water the plant deeply, encouraging the roots to grow downwards, but avoid letting the plant sit in standing water.
Light
Wlassov's Cranesbill thrives best in a location with full sun to partial shade. The ideal spot would provide morning sunlight and some afternoon shade, especially in hotter climate areas, to protect the plant from the harsh afternoon sun. It tolerates a variety of light conditions but too much shade can lead to leggy growth and reduced flowering.
Temperature
Wlassov's Cranesbill is hardy and can tolerate a range of temperatures but performs best when daytime temperatures are between 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It can survive minimum temperatures down to around 20 degrees Fahrenheit, but frost may damage the foliage. To ensure vigorous growth and flowering, avoid exposure to extreme heat or cold.
Pruning
Wlassov's Cranesbill should be pruned to remove dead or yellowing leaves and spent flower stems to encourage new growth and more blooms. Pruning can be done as needed throughout the growing season but is best done in the early spring or after flowering to shape the plant and promote fresh foliage. Cut back the entire plant by about one-third after the first wave of blooms to refresh the plant and foster a second bloom period.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Wlassov's geranium thrives in well-draining soil enriched with organic matter. A mix of two-thirds loam and one-third compost or leaf mold is ideal. Maintain a soil pH between 5.5 and 7.0 for optimal growth. Regular mulching helps maintain moisture and soil structure.
Repotting
Wlassov's geranium typically does not require frequent repotting; it can remain in the same container for several years. Repotting every 3-4 years or when the plant outgrows its pot is sufficient.
Humidity & Misting
Wlassov's geranium prefers average to slightly above average humidity levels but is quite adaptable. It does not require high humidity and can thrive in typical household humidity conditions.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Ensure bright light, good air circulation, and don't overwater.
- Outdoor
  Plant in partial shade, protect from hot afternoon sun.
- Hardiness zone
  4-9 USDA
Life cycle
Geranium wlassovianum, commonly known as Wlassov's geranium, begins its life cycle as a seed, which germinates in spring after experiencing the cold stratification of winter. Upon germination, the seedling emerges, developing a small rosette of leaves and a root system that establishes it firmly in the soil. As the plant matures, it grows into a clump-forming perennial with broad, lobed leaves and a woody base. Flowering generally occurs in the summer, showcasing small, lilac-purple flowers with veining, which are pollinated by insects. After pollination, the plant forms distinctive beak-like seed capsules that disperse seeds for the next generation. During winter, the aerial parts of the plant may die back, but the roots remain alive, enabling the plant to regrow the following spring.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to summer
- Geranium wlassovianum, commonly known as Wlassov's Geranium, can be most popularly propagated through division, which is typically done in the spring or fall. To propagate by division, carefully dig up the parent plant, ensuring you have a large root ball. Then, using a sharp knife or spade, split the clump into smaller sections, making sure each section has a good amount of roots and shoots. Replant the divisions at the same depth they were growing before, spacing them about 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 centimeters) apart to allow for growth. Water the new divisions thoroughly after planting to help establish them. This method is popular for its simplicity and effectiveness in expanding your geranium collection or rejuvenating older plants that have become woody or overgrown.