Geranium phaeum (dusky crane's-bill, "Kurobanafuro")

Japanese name: クロバナフウロ （黒花風露）
Scientific name: Geranium phaeum

[Overview]
A perennial 50–80 cm tall, found in grasslands and similar places in mountainous areas in its native range.
It has a rhizome.
Soft long hairs cover the whole plant.
The stem branches in the upper part.
There are basal leaves and stem leaves; the basal leaves are 10–20 cm long and palmately divided into 7–9 lobes, and the lobes are further shallowly divided.
The basal leaves have long leaf stalks.
The leaves often have purplish brown markings.
Cymes at the stem tips bear flowers that face obliquely downward.
The flowers are 5-petaled, 2–2.5 cm across, and purplish brown with a white center.
The petals curve backward and have wavy edges.
The flower color varies.
The fruit is a capsule.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by division.
It prefers a cool climate.
It prefers fertile soil that is well drained and retains moisture well.
In warm regions partial shade is better, and avoid dry places, strong afternoon sun in the west, and cold north winds in winter.
For plants in the ground, it is good to plant them under deciduous trees.
Take care not to let it dry out; water thoroughly when the soil surface dries.
In spring and autumn, apply diluted liquid fertilizer, and it is better for no fertilizer to remain in midsummer.
Pests and diseases include aphids and spider mites.

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