Geranium wallichianum

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Geranium wallichianum
Light:Full Sun Part Shade
Moisture:Mesic
Hardiness:7
Soil pH:5.6-8.4
Height:1'
Width:5'
Blooms:Mid Summer-Early Fall
Open Woods Forest
Native to:
Medicinal Rating:
Tea:Yes
Poisonous

Geranium wallichianum

Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame.

Division in spring or autumn. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Cultivation: Succeeds in any moderately fertile retentive soil in a sunny position[1]. Tolerates a wide range of soil types[1]. Prefers a position that is cool and moist in the summer but is not heavily shaded[2].

Plants are hardy to at least -20°c[2].

Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[3].

Some named forms have been selected for their ornamental value[2].

Range: E. Asia - Himalayas from Afghanistan to Bhutan.

Habitat: Forests, shrubberies and open slopes, 2400 - 3600 metres[4].

Medicinal: The plant has astringent properties[5]. A decoction of the root, mixed with the bark of Prunus cerasoides, is used in the treatment of peptic ulcers[6]. It has been used as a cure for toothache and has been applied externally to the eyes[7][8]. The juice of the plant is applied to fresh cuts to stem the bleeding[6]. A paste of the plant is used as a poultice to relieve joint pains[6].

Usage: The root contains 30% tannin, it is used as a dye[9].

A good dense ground cover plant[10][1]. Plants should be spaced about 60cm apart each way[11].

Pollinators: Insects

Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.

Flower Type: Hermaphrodite

Links

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
  3. Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
  4. Polunin, Oleg and Adam Stainton. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press, 1984.
  5. Coventry, B. Wild Flowers of Kashmir. Raithby, Lawrence and Co, 1923.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Manandhar, Narayan. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press, 2002.
  7. Singh, Gurcharan and Premnath Kachroo. Forest Flora of Srinagar. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, 1976.
  8. Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.
  9. Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
  10. Napier, Elspeth. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells, 1989.
  11. Thomas, Graham. Plants for Ground Cover. Everyman, 1990.