joining the dots...
This macro in the quizaway of my last post was one that took me by surprise, as if seeing a common or garden plant for the first time. And in a way that’s exactly what it was – for the last 7 years or so this perennial has been a favourite Spring mainstay and yet I’d never attended close-up to the structure of the leaf pattern, with deep veins and regular spaced dot markings. The image could easily be that of a caterpillar but joining the dots, the answer is…
Geranium Phaeum var phaeum ‘Samobor’
Since Phaeum is Greek/Latin for dusky or grey, this group of hardy geraniums are known as the Dusky Cranesbills and in large clumps, a twilight haze does appear to hover over them. 1 More dowager than maiden, they are commonly referred to as ‘mourning widows’ although the epithet is most readily linked to the mosaic leaved ‘Samobor’ (and the other dark and dusky cohorts ‘Chocolate chip’, ‘Raven’ and ‘Purpureum’).
a mourning widow
With peeled back petals of burgundy and a white paint-splashed face, she peers through even the gloomiest of shade beds. First discovered in 1990 at a nursery in Kent, Samobor’s scalloped foliage markings vary from cherry wine spots through to full zonal circles. 2 The literature often suggests that the density of patterning is dependent on maturity or even light levels but my Samobors (top) show very distinct markings even in the smallest of seedlings and the deepest of shade.
Spotty 'Samobor'
In the dappled light of the Camley Street nature park, Samobor is distinctly dotty whilst in a sunny park garden, the leaves range between the unremarkable and ribbon edging that perfectly matches the colour of the flowers.
dusky cranesbill geraniums
Did you ever see a favourite work of art commercialised into ubiquitous prints? Initially I was disconcerted by the sheer mass of cranesbill ‘Samobors’ in Russell Square this year but these hardy geraniums are ideal low maintenance plants, mounding as weed suppressant carpets and able to tolerate sun to dry shade. Here the hum of hive and bumble bees in their hordes proves their pollinator credentials …oh and they self-set easily too.
No oil painting it’s true but undoubtedly Geranium Phaeum var phaeum ‘Samobor’is a doubly attractive dusky cranesbill.
“Between the dusk of a summer night
And the dawn of a summer day,
We caught at a mood as it passed in flight,
And we bade it stoop and stay..” 3
Winner: As no one identified ‘Samobor’ from the quiz macro, I’ll opt to send out the Knautia macedonica seeds to that most thoughtful of commenters and propagator par excellence - b-a-g @ Experiments with Plants
Congratulations to b a g! Still adjusting to seeing that pattern, as detail on a leaf. And what a wonderful flower.
Elephant’s Eye read my post..May around our garden
the wonders of the the macro level. The bloom is small but beautifully sculpted
I love geranium phaeums and that one has the added advantage of interesting foliage too. Mine is Lily Lovell a light purple colour which has taken an age to come into flower this year but finally, last weekend I spotted the first flowers. It is amazing taking photos like that, giving a different perspective or view of a plant is fascinating.
wellywoman read my post..Blooming Marvellous – A Day with Sarah Raven
there are some good old fashioned names to match these phaeums – your Lily and Mavis Simpson on a wishlist
I thought it was an exotic caterpillar
. I like the moody purples; there are some lovely pale phaeums out there too, I’ve been contemplating them quite a bit recently, and one of these days (when my recent plant-splurge has faded a little) I shall slip one in somewhere 
Sara x
hillwards read my post..Relocation, Relocation
no end to plant splurges Sara so just add some moody cranesbills for good luck
Hi Laura,
One of my favourite geraniums. It has done exceptional well in my garden this year and looks wonderful amongst the Dicentra.
The first image is amazing and for the life of me I would never have guessed it was a leaf of said plant !!
good planting duo – needs something to lift the purple haze
Wonderful macro shot. I think we sometimes don’t take the time to really look closely at the old favourites we grow. It’s a totally different world which the macro lens opens up for us. This is not a familiar plant to me, but I do so love those flowers.
Bernieh read my post..A Late Autumn Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day … May 2012
Lovely picture and I would have guessed a caterpillar rather than a leaf. Samobor is very attractive though mine never grows as vigorously as its plainer relatives.
easygardener read my post..Seedlings, the greenhouse and a book
I love the mourning widow – first found the wild plant by a disused canal in Kendal forty – hum, hum, – years ago where it grew wild.
Duncan Darbishire read my post..TIME AND FROST
intrigued by both the time and place
And I have the plant and couldn’t even see it. I love the plant but it does love to seed itself all over the place in my garden. Fabulous history and info behind the plant which I do love…as always a top notch post with great pics Laura!
Donna@Gardens Eye View read my post..Carrots Love Tomatoes on Bloom Day
A delightful post and lovely plant, Laura. I had missed your original post, not having indulged in blogging for weeks… I must do something about obtaining geraniums in general, this one in particular… One sees very little variety in geraniums in South Africa
I think modern macro is one of the great wonders of the world, and you’ve certainly proved it with this pic! Jack
Jack Holloway read my post..JAPANESE MAPLES & THE BEECH BORDERS
I’ve been tardy with blog visits myself Jack. Can just about macro with my camera shake
- with fading eyesight I miss even more Bernie so the macros are invaluable
- they are the easiest for me EG!
- thank you Donna, I do like the term ‘top notch’
Thanks for thinking of me Laura ! … and for showing us the details of this plant.
b-a-g read my post..African Daisies (19 MAY 2012)
do email me your address or use the ‘contact me’ form
Who knew that the leaf color was made up of tiny polka dots? Lovely!
RobinL read my post..May Marvels