Caring for Meadow Cranesbill

Once established, meadow cranesbill is remarkably undemanding. Water regularly during prolonged dry spells in the first summer, but mature clumps cope well with moderate moisture and rarely need supplementary watering except in severe drought. On heavy clay or loam, natural rainfall is usually sufficient in our climate. Feed once a year in March with a general-purpose granular fertiliser such as blood, fish and bone or Growmore, scattered around the base at roughly a handful per square metre. Rake it lightly into the soil surface or let rain wash it in. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds later in the season, which promote soft growth prone to mildew and flop. Mulch in early spring with garden compost or leaf mould to suppress weeds and retain moisture, but keep the mulch a few centimetres clear of the crown to prevent rot. Meadow cranesbill is fully hardy to zone 3a, so winter protection is unnecessary anywhere in temperate Europe. The crown dies back completely in autumn and reappears reliably each spring. Powdery mildew can disfigure foliage in hot, dry summers or in overcrowded spots with poor air circulation, but the July cut-back usually solves this. Slugs and snails occasionally nibble emerging shoots in spring; a scattering of organic slug pellets or a barrier of grit around the crown will deter them. Vine weevil larvae can damage roots in container-grown stock, so check for notched leaf edges and treat with nematodes if necessary. Otherwise, pests and diseases are rare, and this geranium will thrive for years with minimal intervention.