Last Of The Geraniums

This is a delicately and definitively marked crane’s-bill, with its bright pinkish-purplish blooms with notched tips. The darker veins present fine traceries of patternation on the petals. This perennial forms tight clumps, with broad, deep-toothed leaves 4-8cm across. Several crane’s-bill hybrids may lead to confusion of identification. Plant height 60cm. Flower size 15 to 18mm.

It flowers May to September, and is wdely naturalised, growing in various habitats, including deep shade environments. Commonly grown as a garden plant. Native of the Mediterranean, it is common and widespread in the south and south-west of England.

Photograph of Pencilled Crane’s-bill (Geranium versicolor), taken September 2016, rear garden, Staffordshire. © Pete Hillman 2016. Camera used Nikon D7200, with Sigma 105mm macro lens. Top image: ISO 400. 1/50 sec. f/7.1. Bottom inage: ISO 400. 1/80 sec. f/9.