French crane's-bill
Geranium endressii · Geraniaceae
📷 A. Barra · CC BY 3.0
The gardener's calendar
French crane's-bill is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Common name
- Endress's Geranium
- Family
- Geraniaceae
- Type
- Herbaceous perennial
- Adult height
- About 50 cm
- Foliage
- Deciduous to semi-evergreen
- Flowering
- May to September (5-6 months)
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (zone 4-5)
- Origin
- Pyrenees (France/Spain)
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Endress geranium blooms for a long time if you remove spent flowers and keep the soil slightly rich, moist but well-drained.
The common mistake
Leaving spent flowers on the plant slows down new bud production: it's the trap that turns a prolific bloomer into an overgrown mess.
The pro's trick
A light application of balanced fertilizer in June supports flowering without pushing excessive foliage.
Care
Light exposure
Endress's Geranium appreciates partial shade to full sun exposure, with at least 4 hours of direct sunlight daily. It tolerates partial shade well and thrives better in warm climates with light afternoon shade. Avoid intense full sun in Mediterranean regions.
Watering
Keep the soil regularly moist, especially during growth and flowering periods. Water deeply once or twice a week depending on conditions. Reduce watering in winter. Once established, it tolerates slight dryness between waterings.
Soil
This plant prefers well-draining, fertile soil rich in organic matter. Fresh, permeable potting soil works perfectly. Avoid overly compact soils or prolonged waterlogging, as the rhizome may rot.
Fertilizing
Apply balanced fertilizer once or twice monthly during the flowering period (May to September). A light application of compost in spring is generally sufficient. No special needs in winter.
Pruning and maintenance
Pinch young shoots in spring to encourage better branching and a compact form. Remove spent flowers regularly to extend flowering. In late autumn, cut the plant back to 15-20 cm from the ground or simply clean up the dried parts.
Diseases and pests
Endress's Geranium is generally robust and rarely subject to disease. Watch for powdery mildew in cases of excessive humidity and poor air circulation. Root rot can occur on overly wet soil; ensure optimal drainage.
Did you know?
Endress's Geranium is named after Austrian botanist Stephen Endlicher (1804-1849), a great explorer and naturalist. Native to the Pyrenees, this geranium was long appreciated by Victorian English gardeners for its generous flowering and hardiness, becoming a classic in cottage gardens.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Meadow geraniumGeranium pratense
- Bloody Crane's-billGeranium sanguineum
- Rock crane's-billGeranium macrorrhizum
- Purple-vein geraniumGeranium wallichianum
- Himalayan crane's-billGeranium himalayense
- Iberian geraniumGeranium ibericum
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.