Geranium x oxonianum Druce's Crane's-bill

An attractive, hybrid, perennial cranes-bill which originated in cultivation as the cross between French Crane's-bill (Geranium endressii) and Pencilled Crane's-bill (Geranium versicolor) and doesn't have a natural, native range. It was first introduced to gardens in Britain in 1914 and was recorded growing wild not long after, in 1921. It is quite variable, especially in flower colour and there are a number of cultivars, but the flowers are not bright violet-purple like those of Purple Crane's-bill (Geranium x magnificum). It is sometimes confused with French Crane's-bill, but the petals are usually a deeper pink colour, the petal veins much darker and more prominent and the style is shorter (2.5-3.0mm). Once naturalised it is quite long lived and will form large colonies (see photo). It is becoming more common as a garden escape in southern Britain and it is widespread in lowland parts of Wales. It is becoming increasingly common in West Glamorgan, forming persistent clumps in roadside verges, hedges and banks, usually, but not exclusively, near habitation.

Neophyte