The Mourning Widow is perhaps not the most cheerful plant name for St Valentine’s Day but it is a pretty dainty flower also known as dusky cranesbill - Geranium phaeum ‘Samobor’, named for the place it comes from in Croatia. I can’t remember where I originally planted it in the Magic Garden but its well established now in the ‘wild patch’ behind the gooseberry bush and also on the other side of the garden where it is sprawling out of the side border. I pull it up by the armful each year and it is essentially a decorative weed. Its supposed to require lots of moisture but it doesn’t seem that fussy to me!

The geranium has a characteristic blotchy leaf with dark maroon patches on the deeply dissected leaves. These are just coming up now and I am already looking forward to the delicate deep burgundy flowers and the range of bumble bees that flood in to enjoy them

This geranium is very useful for areas of deep shade & was perfect for the wild corner when it was heavily shaded by the jasmine.