Rock crane's-bill
Geranium macrorrhizum · Geraniaceae
📷 Didier Descouens · CC BY-SA 4.0
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant rock crane's-bill: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Common name
- Balkan hardy geranium
- Family
- Geraniaceae
- Plant type
- Herbaceous perennial
- Adult height
- Approximately 40 cm
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen, aromatic
- Flowering
- May to June
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -15 °C)
- Origin
- Mountains of the Balkans and Caucasus
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
This sturdy Geranium creates a dense, vigorous ground cover. Plant it once and practically forget about it: it looks after itself.
The common mistake
Babying it: too much water, too much fertilizer, and overly aggressive pruning make it sickly when it actually hates excess.
The pro's trick
Leave the foliage in place through winter: it browns but protects the crown and gives a lovely winter texture; it'll green back up in April.
Care
Exposure
Place your hardy geranium in partial shade to full sun. It tolerates light shade well and appreciates protection from the most intense rays in very hot regions. This location promotes generous flowering while preserving the foliage.
Watering
Water regularly during growth and flowering, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. Once established, hardy geranium tolerates moderate dry periods. Reduce watering in winter or during cool weather.
Soil
Plant in well-drained soil, ideally enriched with organic matter. Hardy geranium adapts to many soil types, from light to loamy, but dislikes root rot. Slightly chalky soil suits it perfectly.
Pruning and cutting
Cut back stems after flowering to encourage fruiting and maintain a compact shape. Light cleaning of damaged foliage in spring is usually sufficient. This plant requires minimal intervention and spreads naturally.
Fertilizer
A balanced fertilizer application in spring at bud break is quite enough. Avoid excess nitrogen, which promotes foliage at the expense of flowers. An organic mulch each autumn advantageously replaces chemical fertilizers.
Diseases and pests
This species is naturally very disease-resistant. Root rot occurs mainly in poorly drained soil or excess moisture. Occasionally watch for common garden pests, but no major problems will affect this robust plant.
Did you know?
Geranium macrorrhizum owes its scientific name to its exceptionally large roots (from Greek macros = large and rhiza = root), which allow it to survive in the mountains on rocky, exposed terrain. Its foliage, strongly aromatic, releases a camphor-like scent when brushed, once used in natural perfumery. It is a favorite plant of ecological gardeners for its ability to form a low-maintenance groundcover and its magnificent flowers that attract pollinators.
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
- French crane's-billGeranium endressii
- Purple-vein geraniumGeranium wallichianum
- Himalayan crane's-billGeranium himalayense
- Iberian geraniumGeranium ibericum
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.