looking good. The blossoms are white
with pink stamens, and the leaves turn
scarlet and orange in the autumn. Cut
back any dead foliage in the spring if
desired, but tatty old foliage is usually
lost among new growth. There are
reports that G. ×cantabrigiense ‘St. Ola’,
in white, might be an even better
performer. Geranium ×cantabrigiense
‘Crystal Rose’ and ‘Karmina’ are pink
versions.
Geranium phaeum
mourning widow
geraniaceae
Nodding black-purple flowers; palmately
lobed leaves, often with dark markings
18–24 in. high; 18–24 in. wide
Part shade–full shade
Blooms late April–June
Zones 4–8
pruning Shearing plants after they
flower will result in a flush of new
foliage and will likely prompt some
rebloom. Provide plenty of water after
cutting them back. Where the growing
season is long enough, plants may be
sheared again for a third wave of
flowers and fresh foliage. Shearing will
also prevent reseeding, which can be
excessive in some gardens. CutGeranium phaeum back to basal foliage
when frost kills the tops; in mild
climates a small rosette of lime green
leaves may persist over the winter.
other maintenance Mourning
widow geranium favors cool, moist,
shady sites, and it is here that seed-
lings may appear in their greatest
numbers. Like other geraniums, its
seeds are flung some distance from the
plant when ripe, and volunteers may
show up all about the garden. They are
easily dug up and transplant well.
Selected varieties may or may not
come true from seed; dividing clumps
in spring or fall will ensure that new
plants are identical to the parent.
Geranium phaeum has decent drought
tolerance, particularly when grown in
shade or in cool-summer climates.
related SpecieS Geranium phaeum
‘Album’ displays clear white flowers,
while ‘Lily Lovell’ has purple blooms
over light green leaves. ‘Margaret
Wilson’ has leaves splashed liberally
with creamy yellow variegation, while
the popular ‘Samobor’ has leaves
stamped with deep purple markings.
Geranium phaeum var. purpureum
displays rich maroon blooms spring
through midsummer.
Geranium phaeum var.
purpureum