Geranium nodosum or the Knotted Cranesbill is a sprawling perennial plant that has soft green tri-lobed foliage.
It is fairly low growing, reaching up to 0.5m in height and as such makes a good groundcover.
But is is the flowers that make it an attractive garden species, being produced in clusters of dark veined, mauve to pinky purple blooms that can be up to 2.5cms across. They appear from late spring through until autumn and can be variable in colour shades, some going quite dark, others lighter.
This is the perfect cottage garden flower - some may say old fashioned, but soft, colourful charm never really goes out of fashion.
It is best suited for borders, flower beds, groundcover on banks and slopes and especially in informal style gardens.