Perennial of the Month-- May 2009

(ger-A-knee-um  ree-NAR-dee-ii  SHELL-dah) (pronunciation at link, turn up volume if too low)

Common name: Renard's crane's-bill

Family: geranium (Geraniaceae)

Height x width: 10-12" x 15"

Growth rate: moderate

Foliage: sage or gray-green, reniform (kidney-shaped),  rugose hairy (felty), thick with pebbled surface and 5-7 shallow lobes, up to 3-4in. wide; semi-evergreen

Flowers: lilac-blue with purple veins, one inch wide, starry shape, scattered over plant in June-July (month earlier mid-Atlantic south)

Hardiness: USDA zones 4-6 (7?)

Soil: well-drained, prefers dry (not very dry) sites rather than wet, best with low fertility

Light: full sun to part shade (south)

Pests and problems: none significant

Landscape habit, uses: fronts of borders, massed, Mediterranean or dry gardens, to soften hard corners or in front of stone walls, woodland edges, containers; interplant with Sisyrinchium or Helictotrichon (blue oat grass) or a red grass such as Shenandoah; face in front with blue fescue

Other interest: cultivar originally from Coen Jansen of the Netherlands; similar to 'Philippe Vapelle' but more compact; species originally from the Caucasus where it grows on rocky cliffs; tough and care free in the right conditions

Other culture: cut back any dead leaves in fall or spring

Propagation: divide if needed (seldom)

Sources: specialty perennial nurseries such as Geraniaceae,   Sunny Border (wholesale),