Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’ (Meadow Cranesbill)

Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’ (Meadow Cranesbill) on 6-1-25, #1049-2.

Hardy Geranium, Meadow Cranesbill

Geranium pratense 

‘Boom Chocolatta’

PP32026

jer-AY-nee-um  pray-TEN-see

jer-AY-nee-um  pray-TEN-say

Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’ (Meadow Cranesbill) after I brought it home on 5-10-24, #989-2.

I found this Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’ at Muddy Creek Greenhouse on May 10 in 2024 and had to bring it home. I really liked its dark leaves.

Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’ (Meadow Cranesbill) on 6-12-24, #996-10.

I needed a plant on the right side of the step on the north side of the house so that is where I planted the Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’. I had planted a Colocasia ‘Coffee Cup’ here several times, but really wanted something that would return every year without having to over winter a rhizome in the basement. They would always rot and I would have to buy another one. It stays fairly damp over the winter in this location and even perennials I have tried here wouldn’t return the following spring. I was hoping this plant would do the trick…

Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’ (Meadow Cranesbill) on 6-12-24, #996-11.

I always like to do a little research and find out as much as I can about the plants I grow. Walter Gardens applied for the patent for Geranium ‘Boom Chocolatta’ in 2019.

The description on the Walters Gardens website says, “This perennial certainly does have a chocolatey look! This Geranium pratense hybrid has rich, dark bronze leaves and an upright habit, with blue-purple flowers covering the top of the habit, staring in early summer. Compared to older genetics, ‘Boom Chocolatta’ is more vigorous, and has a very refined habit. Use it as a contrast with green-leaved plants in your sun garden!”

Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’ (Meadow Cranesbill) on 6-29-24, #999-3.

First flower on 6-29-24.

According to patent record PP32026, Geranium ‘Boom Chocolatta’ was first hybridized by Hans A. Hansen of Walters Gardens in 2012. Mr. Hansen used Geranium pratense ‘Midnight Blues’ as the seed (female) parent and and the pollen (male) parent was presumed to be Geranium clarkei ‘Kashmir Blue’. Through diligent effort over a several year period, ‘Boom Chocolatta’ was selected from many other seedlings from the same cross and other crosses. Finally, after growing in Walters trial Gardens for two years, Geranium ‘Boom Chocolatta’ was offered to the public in 2018. 

Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’ (Meadow Cranesbill) on 7-5-24, #1000-10. 

USEFUL INFORMATION:
Family: Geraniaceae
Origin: Cultivar
Zones: USDA Zones 4a-8b (° F)
Size: 24-26” tall x 28-30” wide
Light: Shade to sun.
Soil: Poor to fertile well-drained soil.
Water: Average water needs. Can tolerate drought once established.
Uses: Use as a border plant, in containers, and would look great in mass plantings.
Needs: Cut back after flowering to encourage new growth.
Comments: I really like this plant with its dark leaves and blue flowers. It has done quite well next to the step.

Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’ (Meadow Cranesbill) on 7-5-24, #1000-11.

This plant was a great performer in 2024 during its first year.

<<<<2025>>>>

Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’ (Meadow Cranesbill) on 4-9-25, #1034-4.

I was really excited when I brushed back the leaves and saw the Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’ had returned for 2025! We had a fairly mild winter which definitely helped!

Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’ (Meadow Cranesbill) on 4-21-25, #1038-14.

No doubt I will take a lot of photos of this plant…

Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’ (Meadow Cranesbill) on 4-29-25, #1039-5.

Even though cooler temps lingered, the Geranium ‘Boom Chocolatta’ continued to grow at a steady pace.

Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’ (Meadow Cranesbill) on 5-22-25, #1045-5.

I noticed its first buds on May 22 in 2025.

Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’ (Meadow Cranesbill) on 5-22-25, #1045-6.

How about a closer look…

Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’ (Meadow Cranesbill) on 5-29-25, #1047-2.

By 5-29-25, it had quite a few flowers and continued to grow…

Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’ (Meadow Cranesbill) on 5-29-25, #1047-3.

 

Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’ (Meadow Cranesbill) on 5-29-25, #1047-4.

 

Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’ (Meadow Cranesbill) on 5-29-25, #1047-5.

I am kind of running out of words without repeating myself…

Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’ (Meadow Cranesbill) on 6-1-25, #1049-1.

I can hardly believe how this plant has grown and keeps getting taller…

Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’ (Meadow Cranesbill) on 6-1-25, #1049-2.

I have definitely not grown any Geranium like this one. I am so impressed!

Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’ (Meadow Cranesbill) on 6-12-25, #1056-3.

 

Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’ on 6-19-25, #1061-2.

Looks like it is winding down a little…

Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’ on 6-19-25, #1061-3.

 

Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’ with 32″ tall flower stems on 6-20-25, #1062-4.

The plant without the flowering stems was around 22″ tall x 30″ wide when the above photo was taken on 6-20-25. The top of the tallest flowering stem was 32″. I could get a better photo if it wasn’t for the old Achillea millefolium (Yarrow) which is another interesting story…

Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’ with 8 1/4″ wide leaf on 6-20-25, #1062-5.

I looked for the largest leaf and found this whopper. It measured 8 1/4″ wide…

Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’ stems on 6-20-25, #1062-6.

There are a lot of leaf stems (petioles)…

Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’ on 6-20-25, #1062-7.

There are a set of leaves where the flowering stems fork. I don’t have to use technical botanical language since this isn’t a wildflower description…

Well, I have ran out of photos of Geranium ‘Boom Chocolatta’ for 2025. Let’s hope it returns again in 2026.

If you haven’t tried it, I suggest you do… If you can’t find it locally, there are plenty of online sources.

I hope you enjoyed this page as much as I enjoyed growing Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’. Please leave a comment or a like if you can.

FOR FURTHER READING:
WALTERS GARDENS
PROVEN WINNERS
GARDENIA
GARDEN DESIGN
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY