Dark Reiter Hardy Geranium

Dark Reiter is a compact meadow cranesbill grown for finely divided, dark purple foliage and lilac-blue flowers. Its tidy mound suits a rock garden or the front of a sunny-to-partly shaded border. [Walters Gardens](https://www.waltersgardens.com/variety.php?ID=GERDR) lists an 8–10 inch height, a 12 inch spread, and hardiness in USDA Zones 4–8. ## Growth and Flowers The flowers open in early to midsummer above foliage that can read purple to burgundy. The cultivar remains notably smaller than many meadow cranesbills, making it useful where a low, leafy accent is needed. Give it room for a roughly foot-wide clump and pair its dark leaves with silver or pale foliage. ## Growing Conditions Grow in full sun or partial shade in well-drained soil. [Fine Gardening](https://www.finegardening.com/plant/dark-reiter-geranium-geranium-pratense-dark-reiter) also describes spring flowers, a short mounded habit, and a possible repeat flush after trimming. Site it where the colored leaves can be seen from a path or border edge. ## Maintenance Remove spent flower stems after the first flush to keep the mound neat and encourage fresh growth. Divide established clumps in spring if they become crowded.