Dusky cranesbill
Geranium phaeum
An ornamental plant, planted at any time of year.
In September: cut back the dusky cranesbill. It can be planted now.
Add dusky cranesbill to my plot
Your first month is free. No card. Then £4.99 a month or £39.99 a year. You sign in with a link we email you, with no password.
Dusky cranesbill, month by month
Bar: the usual months. Sprout: this month.
| Sowing, planting or job | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | 2027Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant a pot-grown dusky cranesbill. | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual |
| Lift and divide the dusky cranesbill. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none |
| Cut the dusky cranesbill back hard after flowering. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | none |
| Cut back the dusky cranesbill. | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none |
What to do, and when
The usual months for a UK garden. Your own plan gives the week.
Planting
Plant a pot-grown dusky cranesbill at any time of year, 30cm apart. Strong sources: RHS and Weston Nurseries.
Lift and divide the dusky cranesbill
Every 3 years, not every year.
Usually March to May. Strong source: RHS.
Cut the dusky cranesbill back hard after flowering
Gardeners call this the Hampton hack.
Almost to the ground, straight after its first flowers. Fresh leaves follow, and often a second flush of flowers.
Usually June to July. Moderate source: RHS.
Cut back the dusky cranesbill
With a knife, shears or secateurs, cut the stems close to the base of the plant.
Usually September to November. Strong source: RHS.
What the source words mean
Strong: the RHS page for this plant is among them.Moderate: another trusted UK source, or the RHS on its group.
Add dusky cranesbill to my plot
Every line above names the page it comes from. Where we found no good source for a job, we left it out. Where the name “Dusky cranesbill” comes from.