GERANIACE.^. 89 



Propagate by division and seed, the former in early autumn, the 

 latter in spring, in a cold frame or warm spot out of doors. 



G. argenteum {Silvery Cnmesbill). — A very dwarf plant, 

 forming compact silvery tufts of 7-lobed leaves, the lobes 

 deeply toothed. The flowers are borne on stalks 3 to 6 inches 

 high, two or three together, are comparatively large, and deli- 

 cate rose-colour. It forms an interesting and pretty ornament 

 of rockwork in sunny positions, and is hardy enough for culture 

 in most parts of the country ; liable, however, to perish under 

 prolonged damp in winter. Flowers in early summer, continu- 

 ing for a couple of months. Native of the Pyrenees and 

 other parts of southern Europe. 



G. cinereum {Ash-grey Cranesbill). — This species grows 

 about 6 inches high, and resembles the last somewhat in habit, 

 but is a larger plant, has the leaves not so deeply lobed, and 

 the pubescent covering is not so silver}^ The flowers, a few 

 together on a stalk, but freely produced, are pale pink, the 

 petals finely penciled with deeper red. Flowers in summer 

 pretty continuously for a month or two ; suitable for rockwork 

 or mixed border in well-drained soil. Native of the Pyrenees. 



G. pratense {Crowfoot-leaved Cranesbill). — This is an indi- 

 genous plant, found in many localities of England and Scotland. 

 It grows rather erect, about 18 inches high, with downy stems 

 and leaves. The leaves are deeplv cut into seven acute segments, 

 which are again cut and toothed. The flowers are borne in 

 loose few-flowered panicles, on rather long stalks at the tops of 

 the stems ; they are deep blue or purplish blue, and appear in 

 May, June, and July. This is a handsome plant, well deserv- 

 ing a place in even select borders, especially in the shape of 

 its double and white-flowered varieties. Accommodates itself 

 to any ordinarily dry garden-soil. 



G. sanguineum {Bloody Cranesbill). — This is another native 

 of Britain. It grows i foot or more high, with spreading, 

 almost trailing, and much-intertwined stems, forming in well- 

 developed plants finely -rounded masses about 2 feet wide. 

 The leaves are roundish or kidney-shaped, much and deeply 

 divided. The flowers grow singly on long slender stalks, are 

 large, dark red or purple, and appear in greater or less pro- 

 fusion throughout summer and autumn. The plant is hand- 

 some, and is a good ornament for second or third lines in mixed 

 borders, and along with the last would form excellent cloth- 

 ing for dry bare banks. The variety G. s. lancastriense, which 

 is published in some floras as a species under that name, is 

 even more handsome than the type, being more compact, and 

 the flowers rose or flesh coloured. In nature it appears to be 



