Species cranesbill
purple flower with long, violet stamens and greenish-purple buds on green stem

cranesbill

Geranium macrorrhizum

Cranesbill (Geranium macrorrhizum) is a wonderfully versatile groundcover plant with attractive grey-green foliage and delicate pinkish-purple blooms that appear in summer. Once established, it's drought tolerant and fairly hardy, making it an ideal choice for tough, dry spots. In addition, its abundant foliage and long, spreading root system make it an effective ground cover for suppressing weeds. Plus, it's attractive to bees and butterflies, and its blooms last for weeks or even months in the right conditions. Cranesbill is a great addition to any garden.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Layering Propagation,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 8

Flowers:

Purple pink Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Cranesbill (Geranium macrorrhizum) should be watered on average once or twice a week. However, depending on the climate in which they are planted and the amount of rain they receive, they can require more or less frequent watering. During hot, dry weather, they may need to be watered more often, such as every other day, while very cold, wet weather may require less frequent watering. When watering, it is important to make sure the soil stays evenly moist. Be careful not to over-water, as they can be sensitive to soggy conditions. You may want to check the moisture levels of the soil with your finger or a soil moisture meter to make sure there is adequate soil moisture, but too much is not ideal for this species.

sunlight

Cranesbill (Geranium macrorrhizum) is a perennial plant that grows best in full sun exposure. It requires at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive. It is important to keep in mind that this species of geranium does not tolerate full shade, as it will not flower as well. The plant should also be placed in an area where direct sunlight is not blocked by trees, buildings, or other shadows during most of the day. When direct sunlight is blocked, the plant will require more shade and may suffer from disease and discoloration. In addition to receiving direct sunlight, it is important to ensure that the soil in which the cranbsbill is growing is well-drained and moist.

pruning

Cranesbill (Geranium macrorrhizum) is a low-maintenance perennial that requires minimal pruning. The plant tends to have a vigorous growth habit, so it is best to prune off any dead or damaged stems in early spring (before new growth emerges). This will keep to the plant healthy and encourage fresh growth. If you want to keep the plant looking neat and full, then after it blooms in early spring, prune the stems back by about 1-third. This will help to remove the faded flowers and avoid the plant becoming overgrown. Be careful not to prune too hard or severely, as this could damage and weaken the plant. Regular light pruning is the best approach to keep the plant healthy and looking its best.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Geranium macrorrhizum typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Geranium macrorrhizum typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Hardiness Map