Dusky geranium is often sold as mourning widow geranium due to the dark purple flowers. The popular cultivar ‘Samobor’ also features a ring of dark purple on its leaves. Dusky geranium is well adapted to shady sites.
Size and Method of spreading:
Dusky geranium grows 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 feet tall when in flower. Spread can be 1 to 1 1/2 feet. This is a clump-forming ground cover. Clump-forming ground covers are perennials that can be planted closely together to provide the visual effect of a ground cover. This species also spreads to some degree through short rhizomes and self seeding.
Native geographic location and habitat:
This plant is native to Europe and commonly found in wooded areas.
Leaf description:
The leaves are lobed, with jaggedly toothed margins. The general outline of the leaf is rounded. The leaves of the species are green, but some cultivars have purple-banded leaves.
Flower description:
The flowers of this species are small, about 1 inch, with five petals. They are a dark maroon or purple. The flowers are held above the foliage. Most of the flowering occurs in early summer.
Fruit description:
Fruits are beaked capsules said to resemble a crane’s bill and are not ornamentally important.
Plant care:
This ground cover does well in partial to full shade situations. It prefers a moist, well-drained soil, but will tolerate some dryness. Excessive heat can cause the foliage to dieback. This geranium self-seeds readily and deadheading can control unwanted seedlings.
List of pests, diseases, and tolerances:
No serious disease or insect problems.
Raven dusky geranium (Geranium phaeum ‘Raven’):
This plant has very dark purple flowers with a white eye.
Samobor dusky geranium (Geranium phaeum ‘Samobor’):
This plant has maroon-purple flowers and its foliage has a purple band.
