Plant Database
perennial

Elizabeth Ann Cranesbill

Geranium maculatum 'Elizabeth Ann'

 

 
Elizabeth Ann Cranesbill (Geranium maculatum 'Elizabeth Ann') at GardenWorks

Elizabeth Ann Cranesbill in bloom

Elizabeth Ann Cranesbill in bloom

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Elizabeth Ann Cranesbill (Geranium maculatum 'Elizabeth Ann') at GardenWorks

Elizabeth Ann Cranesbill flowers

Elizabeth Ann Cranesbill flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  18 inches

Spacing:  20 inches

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade 

Hardiness Zone:  4a

Other Names:  Wild Cranesbill, Spotted Cranesbill

Description:

This is a compact clump forming perennial with unusual chocolate-brown foliage, turning reddish in the fall; lovely light lavender-pink saucer-shape flowers contrast boldly with the foliage in spring

Ornamental Features

Elizabeth Ann Cranesbill has masses of beautiful pink flowers at the ends of the stems from late spring to early summer, which are most effective when planted in groupings. Its attractive deeply cut lobed palmate leaves are dark brown in colour. As an added bonus, the foliage turns a gorgeous red in the fall.

Landscape Attributes

Elizabeth Ann Cranesbill is an herbaceous perennial with a mounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

  • Self-Seeding

Elizabeth Ann Cranesbill is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Mass Planting
  • General Garden Use
  • Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens
  • Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Elizabeth Ann Cranesbill will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 20 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selection of a native North American species. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Elizabeth Ann Cranesbill is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers and foliage against which the thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Massing  Garden  Naturalizing  Container 
Applications
Flowers  Foliage Color  Fall Color  Texture 
Ornamental Features


Disclaimer - This resource is provided for informational purposes only and does NOT reflect current availability. Inventory varies seasonally, so we cannot guarantee that every plant will be in stock at all times - please contact your favourite GardenWorks location directly for current availability. It does not include our entire inventory of plants, so be sure to visit GardenWorks to see varieties that may not be represented on this list.