Bloody Crane's-bill
Geranium sanguineum · Geraniaceae
📷 Didier Descouens · CC BY-SA 4.0
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant bloody crane's-bill: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Geranium sanguineum
- Family
- Geraniaceae
- Type
- Herbaceous perennial
- Adult height
- 40 to 60 cm
- Foliage
- Deciduous, turns reddish in autumn
- Flowering
- May to July, pink-magenta flowers
- Exposure
- Full sun to partial shade
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, down to -20 °C
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Bloody cranesbill prefers poor to average soil: too rich and it produces foliage at the expense of flowers. Once established (year 2), it only needs water during prolonged drought.
The common mistake
Fertilizing it or over-watering to make it more vigorous reduces flowering and encourages disease.
The pro's trick
After the first flush of flowers (end of June), cut back to 15 cm: it will flower again in August-September and become bushier.
Care
Exposure
Bloody cranesbill prefers full sun for abundant flowering, but tolerates partial shade. Plant it in a bright, well-exposed location. Morning sun exposure is ideal to avoid excessive heat in the afternoon in Mediterranean climates.
Watering
Water moderately once a week during the growing season, letting the soil dry out slightly between waterings. Once established, this perennial tolerates drought well. Reduce watering in autumn and winter.
Soil
Choose well-draining soil, even poor or stony. Bloody cranesbill adapts to all soil types, including chalky ones. Avoid overly moist and compact soils that promote root rot.
Pruning and cutting back
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to extend flowering. In late winter, cut the plant back to 10-15 cm from the ground to encourage a compact and vigorous clump in spring. The deciduous foliage naturally dries out in autumn.
Fertilizer
This hardy perennial requires only light feeding. Apply well-decomposed compost or balanced fertilizer in spring. Limit nitrogen applications to avoid favoring foliage at the expense of flowering.
Diseases and pests
Bloody cranesbill is generally very healthy and resistant. Watch for powdery mildew in case of excessive humidity and poor air circulation. Good air circulation and well-draining soil prevent most fungal problems.
Did you know?
Bloody cranesbill owes its Latin name 'sanguineum' to its intense pink-magenta flowers that recall blood. Native to Mediterranean regions and Central Asia, this hardy perennial was once used in traditional medicine for its astringent properties. It is highly valued by modern landscapers for its natural character, resilience, and ability to thrive in difficult terrain, particularly in dry gardens or rock 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
- Rock crane's-billGeranium macrorrhizum
- 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.