Geranium sylvaticum May Flower - Géranium des bois, Géranium des forêts, Pied-de-perdrix

The Geranium sylvaticum 'Mayflower' is a variety of wood cranesbill distinguished by its deep violet-blue flowers, brightened by a small white eye. A colour that is clearly visible in the dappled light of woodland edges. This perennial forms a tall, leafy clump that flowers abundantly in spring. Perfectly hardy and easy to grow in moist soil, it thrives in partially shaded borders, slightly damp meadows and at the base of deciduous shrubs.

Belonging to the Geraniaceae family, the wood cranesbill is a herbaceous perennial: its aerial parts die back in winter and its rootstock regrows in spring. The wild species is native to a vast region stretching from southern Greenland and Europe to Siberia and northern Iran. It grows in cool regions, particularly in mountain meadows, woodland edges, open woods, ravines and certain non-submerged riverbanks. In the southern part of its range, it is mainly confined to higher elevations. Selected by the British nurseryman Alan Bloom at Bressingham, 'Mayflower' was introduced in 1972. It received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society in 1993. The plant develops from a compact rootstock that slowly widens, without being carpeting. It produces a clump of 60 to 70 cm in height when in flower and 40 to 50 cm in width. The bright green leaves, 10 to 20 cm wide, are deeply divided into lobes that are themselves toothed; this cutting gives the foliage a full yet airy appearance. The basal leaves form a rosette on long petioles; those on the stems are smaller and opposite. Stems, petioles and laminae bear a fine down, clearly visible on young shoots. In rich soil, the flower stalks rise higher and may lean on neighbouring plants. From May to June, the flat, cup-shaped flowers, 2.5 to 3 cm in diameter, open in profusion above the leaves. Their five blue-mauve petals surround a small white centre, traversed by fine, darker veins. They provide nectar and pollen for pollinating insects. The foliage remains decorative after flowering if the soil does not dry out; it may disappear if the summer is somewhat dry. This variety withstands frosts below -20 °C, as well as clay and chalky soils. It performs particularly well in mountain or cool oceanic climates. 
This fertile variety can self-seed spontaneously in moist, humus-rich soil. Young plants sometimes show variations in colour, especially when several cultivars of Geranium sylvaticum grow nearby.

Magnificent in woodland, pair this 'Mayflower' geranium with golden foliage: Millium effusum 'Aureum', Carex elata 'Aurea', Carex oshimensis 'Evergold' ; the yellow-blue contrast is superb. To this combination, one can add the Geranium sylvaticum 'Album', with white flowers, and the Geum rivale 'Leonard's Variety', coppery pink. All these plants grow in moist, humus-rich soil, in soft sun or partial shade.