This stunning hardy geranium produces an abundance of large violet-blue flowers with darker veining from early summer well into autumn. Flowering over an exceptionally long period, Geranium wallichianum ‘Bloom Me Away’ creates a colourful, informal display that weaves beautifully through borders and wildlife-friendly planting schemes. Its deeply divided foliage provides attractive texture throughout the growing season, making it a valuable garden performer long after many other perennials have finished flowering.
Geranium wallichianum ‘Bloom Me Away’, commonly known as Hardy Geranium or Cranesbill, is prized for its vigorous growth, extended flowering season, and excellent garden reliability. It combines the elegant flowers of the Himalayan species with improved flowering performance, making it a fantastic choice for cottage gardens, mixed borders, and pollinator-friendly planting.
Perennial
Herbaceous, Long Flowering, Wildlife Friendly, Cottage Garden Favourite
Flowers: June to October
Foliage: April to November
Scientific Name
Geranium wallichianum ‘Bloom Me Away’ (Wallich’s cranesbill)
Common Name
Hardy Geranium
Cranesbill
Wallich’s Cranesbill
Origin
The species Geranium wallichianum is native to the Himalayas, including parts of Nepal, northern India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. It was named in honour of the Danish botanist Nathaniel Wallich, who made significant contributions to the study of Asian plants. ‘Bloom Me Away’ is a cultivated garden selection developed for its prolific flowering and strong garden performance.
Pruning Tips
Trim back spent flowers and tired foliage in midsummer if plants begin to look untidy. This often encourages fresh growth and continued flowering. Cut back old foliage completely in late winter or early spring before new growth appears.
Wildlife Value
The open flowers are rich in nectar and attract bees, hoverflies, butterflies, and other pollinating insects over a particularly long flowering season.
Positioning
Thrives in full sun or partial shade. Ideal for mixed borders, cottage gardens, wildlife gardens, underplanting roses, and weaving through other herbaceous perennials.
Water
Keep well watered during establishment. Once established, it is reasonably drought tolerant but performs best with consistent moisture during extended dry periods.
Soil
Prefers fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. Grows well in loam, clay, and chalk soils provided drainage is adequate.
Food
Apply a balanced fertiliser or mulch with garden compost in spring to support healthy growth and prolonged flowering. Additional feeding is rarely required in fertile garden soils.
Pet-safe
Generally regarded as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses.
Sprouts Top Tips
Allow stems to gently intermingle with neighbouring plants. This natural weaving habit creates a softer, more relaxed display and helps support the long flowering stems without staking.
Did You Know?
Unlike many hardy geraniums that peak for a few weeks, Geranium wallichianum cultivars are renowned for flowering continuously for months. With regular deadheading, ‘Bloom Me Away’ can provide colour from early summer right through to the first autumn frosts.
