Crane's Bill Geranium 'Dilys'
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- jer-AY-nee-um
- Description
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Geranium 'Dilys', introduced by Axle Tree Nursery in England, is a hybrid cultivar of the species G. sanguinium and G. procurrens. This herbaceous perennial has a compact, clumping, sprawling habit that makes it a good groundcover. The leaves are bright, rich green, and deeply cut, and its flowers are open funnel-shaped, bright pinkish-purple with a dark, central eye and prominent veins. Blooms from June to July, and is a member of the geranium family (Geraniaceae). The cultivar was named in honor of Dilys Davis, a geranium enthusiast. The genus name Geranium is derived from the Greek word géranos, meaning ‘crane;’ hence, the common name cranesbill. It is thought that the fruit of the geranium plant resembles the head and beak of a crane.
Prefers full sun to partial shade; however, in hot summer climates, some afternoon shade is recommended. This plant does best in moist, rich, well-drained, acidic soil. and will tolerate some drought once it is established. Deadhead or trim back to revigorate blooming.
Geranium 'Dilys' is an attractive, vibrant, carefree, flowering groundcover, and would be a lovely addition to a rock garden, cottage garden, or border.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Monitor for vine weevils, sawflies, and capsid bugs. Susceptible to downy mildew, powdery mildew, leaf spots, and rusts.
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Geranium
- Family:
- Geraniaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts butterflies.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Mounding
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Classic "crane's bill" fruit with a long beak.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The flowers are funnel-shaped, 5-petaled, pinkish-purple to magenta-purple, and just over an inch wide. Each petal has dark purple veining and a dark central eye. Blooms from June to July. In cooler climates, it may bloom until fall.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Palmatifid
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are rich green, palmately-lobed, and divided into 5 to 7 wedge-shaped sections. They are slightly pubescent, and the upper leaf surface has deeply cut veining.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The stems are greenish-red, hairy, prostrate to erect, and sprawling.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Rabbits
