regnum-plantae:

Geranium himalayense, Geraniaceae

Many varieties of this beautiful species, known as Himalayan cranesbill or lilac cranesbill, are a common feature of traditional cottage gardens here in the UK. As the name suggests, the plant is native to moist alpine regions surrounding the Himalayas, and being quite hardy it has no issues in colonising the edge of meadows and woodland, although it’s generally never encountered far from the gardens where it would have escaped from. 

At times it’s easy to overlook ornamental, non-native plants, as there is generally little familiarity with what other use they could have, but 1) I couldn’t have skipped a blue flower, I like them too much, 2) no recorded practical use in the history of the countries where the plant has been introduced doesn’t necessarily mean the plant is useless. And I was right to do some research, because I found an interesting ethno-botany paper on Geraniums in India, and learnt the root of G. himalayense has traditionally been used to treat stomach ache and produces a good black dye. 

Aside from this, the plant flowers profusely and for a long period, and is good at attracting wildlife. Around October, at the end of its flowering season, the foliage takes beautiful fiery red shades, prolonging its interesting features in the garden.