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Geranium pratense problem

lydiaannlydiaann Posts: 300
in Problem solving
For 8 seasons, my cranesbill has flourished and is now a beautiful clump at the front of one of my borders...or should be.  Up until last year, it was always covered with blooms and would flower again in late Aug/early Sep if chopped back down after the first flowering.  Last year, there were very few flowers at all, and even fewer this year.  Clay soil, excellent sun until around 3 p.m. and very healthy foliage with no signs of rot, mildew, bug activity.  All plants around (geum, lupin, potentilla, aquilegia, Jacob's ladder and more), are all healthy and doing their level best to outdo one another.  Any ideas?  Or should I dig it up and replace with another cranesbill - or something like campanula?

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It could probably do with being divided and the best bit replanted.  :)
    You can then grow the other bits on too, for putting somewhere else. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • lydiaannlydiaann Posts: 300
    Thanks, I'll try that, although it will have to be in the same general area as my borders are getting rather full! I may be able to resurrect part of an abandoned border that I had high hopes for in the soft fruit category; sadly, the rowan had other ideas and claimed that for its own personal use (i.e., takes all the water from it!)
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Rowans do appreciate a lot of it. Not really ideal for a fruit border though, unless you have lots of room and lots of rain   :)
    You could always pot up bits of the geranium, and maybe add a few other bits and pieces to give you some seasonal displays? Some spring bulbs put in later in the year too  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • lydiaannlydiaann Posts: 300
    The geranium should be okay and I can deal with its watering...it's the rowan that's a greedy member of this family - but it looks lovely nonetheless.  I had thought about potting up odd bits of the geranium and handing them out around the neighbours and just try a little in the old fruit patch until I get an idea of what it will do.  The joys of gardening, you're never sure what's going to happen next!!
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