Wood Cranesbill Geranium sylvaticum 'Birch Lilac'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Geranium sylvaticum 'Birch Lilac', commonly known as the wood cranesbill, showcases a charming and ornamental appeal in gardens. This perennial is recognized for its lovely foliage and attractive flowers. The leaves of the wood cranesbill are fondly lobed, resembling outstretched hands or delicate fans. They boast a rich, medium green hue that provides a lush backdrop for the blooms. As their nickname 'Birch Lilac' suggests, the flowers exhibit a delightful lilac color. These blooms tend to appear in loose clusters and present five rounded petals that have a subtle veining pattern, adding to their allure. The plant's overall shape includes a bushy clump of stems and leaves, creating a visually inviting spot wherever it grows. The bushy foliage forms a dense carpet, which is particularly effective at covering the ground and providing a verdant canvas for the soft lilac flowers to stand out. These characteristics result in a garden plant that offers both visual interest and a splash of gentle color to a variety of garden settings.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Geraniaceae
- Synonyms
  Wood Cranesbill, Woodland Geranium, Birch Double Lilac Geranium
- Common names
  Geranium sylvaticum 'Birch Lilac'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Woodland Geranium is not typically considered toxic to humans. In general, plants of the Geranium genus are not known to contain any significant toxins that would cause harm to humans if touched or ingested. However, as with any plant, individual allergies or sensitivities can occur, so it's always a good idea to exercise caution and avoid ingesting plants that are not commonly used as food. If you suspect poisoning or an allergic reaction after contact with this plant, seek medical attention.
- To pets
  Woodland Geranium is not known to be toxic to pets. Plants from the Geranium genus are usually considered safe and do not contain harmful substances that would typically result in toxicity in pets such as dogs or cats. If a pet were to ingest a large amount of the plant, mild gastrointestinal upset might occur as with any non-food item consumed, but serious toxicity is not expected. If any unusual symptoms arise or if the pet ingests a large quantity, it is advisable to consult a veterinarian.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Lilac
- Height
  2 feet [60 cm]
- Spread
  1.5 feet [45 cm]
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  3
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attracts Pollinators - Geranium sylvaticum 'Birch Lilac' attracts bees and other pollinating insects, which is beneficial for the garden ecosystem.
- Low Maintenance - This variety of geranium is known for being easy to grow and requiring minimal care once established.
- Ornamental Value - With its lilac-colored flowers, it adds visual interest and beauty to garden beds and borders.
- Drought Resistance - Once established, it can tolerate periods of low water, making it suitable for drier climates or water-wise gardens.
- Cold Hardy - It is able to withstand cooler temperatures, making it a good choice for gardens in colder regions.
Medical Properties
- Geranium sylvaticum, commonly known as wood cranesbill, may have astringent qualities due to the presence of tannins.
- It may have been traditionally used for its potential anti-inflammatory effects to soothe irritated skin.
- The plant might have been used historically to treat mild diarrhea due to its possible astringent action on the digestive system.
- There is some historical use of wood cranesbill for its potential antiseptic properties, which could have been used in wound care.
Please note that the information provided here is based on historical or traditional use. The medical efficacy of Geranium sylvaticum 'Birch Lilac' (wood cranesbill) has not been validated by modern clinical research, and it should not replace conventional medical treatment. Consult a healthcare professional before using any plant for medicinal purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Geranium sylvaticum 'Birch Lilac', commonly known as the woodland geranium, can be used as a natural dye, offering a range of colors from greens to browns depending on the mordant used.
- The plant's sturdy stems can be woven into small handicrafts, such as decorative baskets or wreaths for rustic home decor.
- The leaves of woodland geranium, when crushed, can be used as a natural insect repellent due to their aromatic properties.
- Some artisans use woodland geranium petals as a source of pigment for creating botanical watercolor paintings or as a natural fabric print.
- In garden designs, the dense foliage can be utilized to create a living mulch, suppressing weeds and retaining soil moisture.
- The plant is a valuable addition for wildlife gardens as it serves as a food source for various caterpillars, supporting the local ecology.
- Woodland geranium can be used as ground cover in shady areas where grass struggles to grow, thereby preventing soil erosion.
- During the flowering season, woodland geraniums can be floated in water bowls as a natural decoration for outdoor gatherings.
- The dried flowers can be incorporated into potpourri mixtures, contributing a subtle fragrance and enhancing visual appeal.
- The plant's resilience to deer browsing makes it an ideal choice for gardens in areas with a high deer population, providing beauty without being eaten away.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
Wood Cranesbill is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
Wood Cranesbill is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Unity and True Friendship: Geraniums are often associated with unity and bonding, symbolizing a close, unbreakable relationship reminiscent of true friends.
- Health and Healing: Many believe geraniums promote emotional, mental, and physical healing, representing the body's ability to recover and regenerate.
- Fertility and Abundance: The geranium's lush foliage and generous flowering can symbolize fertility and the creation of new ideas or ventures.
- Protection: Geraniums are thought to offer protection due to their strong fragrance, which is traditionally believed to ward off negative energies and pests.
- Happiness and Positive Energy: The vibrant flowers of the geranium bring cheer and are commonly thought to attract positive vibes and joy into a space.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The Wood Cranesbill, commonly known as the 'Birch Lilac' Geranium, should be watered moderately, aiming for consistently moist soil without allowing it to become waterlogged. During the active growing season in spring and summer, water this plant once or twice a week, using approximately 1 gallon for smaller plants and up to 2 gallons for larger mature plants depending on the size and the environmental conditions. Decrease the watering frequency to once every two weeks during the fall and winter when the plant is dormant, ensuring the soil doesn't completely dry out. Over-watering can lead to root rot, so it’s crucial to ensure good drainage.
Light
The 'Birch Lilac' Geranium thrives best in partial shade to full sun conditions. A spot that receives morning sunlight and is shaded in the afternoon is ideal to protect the foliage from too much intense light. If grown indoors, a bright window with some filtered light or sheer curtains would provide an excellent illumination without direct harsh sunlight that could scorch its leaves.
Temperature
The 'Birch Lilac' Geranium prefers moderate temperatures and is hardy in a range between 50°F and 75°F for optimal growth. While it can endure short periods of colder weather, temperatures falling consistently below 50°F, especially frost, can be damaging to the plant. These Geraniums can survive temperatures up to 85°F but may need additional watering to counteract heat stress.
Pruning
Pruning the 'Birch Lilac' Geranium helps to promote healthy growth and encourage flowering. Cut back the spent flowers and any dead or old leaves to stimulate new growth and a second flush of blooms. Pruning is best done in late summer or early fall after flowering has finished. Additionally, cutting the plant back in late winter or early spring can help maintain a compact, bushy form.
Cleaning
Not needed
Soil
Wood Cranesbill prefers moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter with a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. A mix of garden soil, compost, and peat moss or leaf mold can provide an ideal growing medium for this plant.
Repotting
Wood Cranesbill should be repotted every 2 to 3 years to rejuvenate the soil and provide room for growth. It's best to repot in the spring before the plant begins its active growth phase.
Humidity & Misting
Wood Cranesbill thrives in average humidity conditions typical of temperate climates; it does not require high humidity and is quite adaptable to the ambient moisture levels found outdoors in its native habitat.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Use well-draining soil, place in bright, indirect light.
- Outdoor
  Plant in part shade, rich soil, water regularly.
- Hardiness zone
  4-8 USDA
Life cycle
Wood Cranesbill germinates from seed, usually in the spring, initiating the seedling stage where it develops its primary root and initial leaves. As it transitions into the vegetative stage, the plant forms a rosette of leaves and a robust root system. During the flowering stage in late spring to early summer, it produces clusters of lilac flowers atop long stems, allowing for pollination. Fertilized flowers then develop into fruit, encapsulating seeds for the reproductive stage, where seeds are dispersed by animals or other natural mechanisms. Following dispersal, the plant enters dormancy in the winter, withering aerial parts but surviving underground with its perennial structures. The cycle repeats as the plant emerges from dormancy with new growth in the subsequent spring.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- The most popular method of propagation for the Wood Cranesbill, or Geranium sylvaticum 'Birch Lilac', is by seed. Sowing can be done either in the fall, to allow for a natural stratification period over winter, or in the spring after a period of cold stratification in the refrigerator for several weeks to simulate winter conditions. To propagate by seed, one should scatter the seeds thinly over a tray of pre-moistened seed starting mix and lightly press them into the surface. The tray should then be covered with a plastic lid or wrap to maintain humidity and placed in a bright, indirect light location with a temperature around 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius). Once seedlings emerge and are large enough to handle, they can be pricked out and potted up individually to grow on before transplanting into the garden.