Geranium robertianum, Herb Robert

Scientific Name: Geranium robertianum

Geranium robertianum, more commonly known as Herb Robert, is a shade-tolerant annual or biennial which has a scent which some find unpleasant, and often lasts through the winter in southern Britain.

The pretty flowers have pink petals with orange or purple anthers and are held in loose clusters. Occasionally you can find pure white flowers (as in second photo above). Herb-Robert has deeply cut lobed leaves which can be green through to bright red colour, and are often shiny.

It is common on shaded banks, hedgerows, woods and coastal shingle throughout the country, and is tolerant of all but the most acidic soils. It will self-seed profusely in gardens and attract a wide range of insects.

https://www.uknature.co.uk is a website dedicated to showing the immense diversity of UK nature and wildlife. Our vast range of habitats, from lowland arable to snow covered mountains, from storm-ravaged coastlines to peaceful inland freshwater lakes and rivers, from dry, sandy heaths to deciduous and coniferous forests, all these habitats contribute to the abundance of UK nature. We have wild birds in huge numbers either residing or visiting our shores (597 recorded species as at July 2013) and we must also not forget the humble back garden with its grass lawns, flower beds filled with nectar rich flowers, shrubs and trees, all designed to attract huge numbers of insects such as bees, moths, butterflies and hoverflies; and finally the small ponds which provide safe havens for frogs, toads, newts and even slow worms and grass snakes. www.uknature.co.uk is the showcase for my personal passion, photographing uknature in all its glory. I sincerely hope you all enjoy the fruits of my labours.