Geranium pratense Algera Double

Geranium pratense 'Algera Double', sometimes called the Crane's Beak or Meadow Cranesbill, is a recent variety that is both floriferous and undemanding. It bears exquisite double flowers, in the shape of elongated stars and very contrasting, almost white around a pinkish-violet centre washed with purple. Its habit is compact and its dark green foliage is finely cut. It is well suited to borders and pots, planted in good garden soil, fertile and moist, in sun or light shade.

Floriferous, generous, easy to grow, perennial geraniums have it all. Especially since, unlike tender Geraniums (which are actually Pelargoniums) with which they are sometimes confused, they are perfectly hardy, at least up to -15°C (5°F) and therefore remain in the ground all winter.

Originally from Europe, Central Asia and China and belonging to the Geraniaceae family, Geranium pratense is the origin of many cultivars with single or double flowers, easy to grow in any good garden soil.  The 'Algera Double' variety, from which it originates, has a compact habit, with an average height of 40cm (16in) and the same width. Its flowers are precious and refined: star-shaped, they are composed of two rows of petals, the smaller ones tinged with pink-violet-purple towards the centre. Its flowering, very recurrent if care is taken to remove faded flowers, occurs from June-July to August-September, depending on the climate, with good regularity. The foliage is deciduous, composed of small polygonal, finely cut leaves, medium green, measuring 20cm (8in) long, almost along the entire length of the robust and hairy stems. It takes on a beautiful bronze colour in autumn.

Easy to grow and truly undemanding, this meadow geranium even tolerates poor soils, and its beauty competes with the best varieties of Hellebores. In the garden, perennial geraniums can be planted almost anywhere: in a rockery, in a woodland setting with ferns and Woodrushes, near Roses whose base they can elegantly dress, at the edge of a bed with other varieties of double-flowered Geraniums and even in pots.