Geranium clarkei 'Kashmir White'
Tried and True Recommended by 1 Professional
Common Name: cranesbill
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Geraniaceae
Zone: 5 to 7
Height: 1 to 2 feet
Spread: 1 to 2 feet
Bloom Time: June to July
Bloom Description: White with lilac-pink veins
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Wildlife: Attracts Butterflies
Tolerates: Deer, Rabbits

Culture

Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist, humusy, well-drained soils, particularly in hot summer climates. Intolerant of drought. Performs best in cool summer climates, and is intolerant of the heat and humidity of the deep South. Shear off spent flowers after bloom to encourage additional bloom, tidy the planting and/or prevent any unwanted self-seeding. 'Kashmir White' self-seeds in the garden in optimum growing conditions, but flower color in particular does not reliably come true from seed.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Geranium clarkei is a rhizomatous hardy geranium that is native to alpine meadows in the mountains of Kashmir. 'Kashmir White' is a large-flowered cultivar which typically grows in a clump to 18" tall, spreading outward by creeping stems to 18" wide, and features a profuse bloom of white, upward-facing flowers (to 2" diameter) with contrasting violet-pink veins from late spring to early summer. Dark green leaves are deeply cut into 7 segments and form an attractive foliage mat.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.

Garden Uses

Border fronts, rock gardens, cottage gardens or wild gardens. Best in groups or massed as a ground cover. Also an effective edger.