East facing, north facing, south facing, west facing
Position in border:
Front
Soil
Prefers rich soil:
Boggy / Chalky / Alkaline / Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy
Cranesbill, or hardy geraniums, are perennial border plants with saucer-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple and blue. They're easy to grow, thrive in shade and flower for months. Geraniums are popular in cottage garden schemes and offer a long season of pollen and nectar for a number of pollinators, particularly bees.
Geranium sanguineum has fine fresh green foliage, which makes a good summer-long background for its mallow-like pink flowers. It's ideal for growing under a very light canopy of shrubs or roses, among taller perennials in a cottage garden, or towards the front of a border. It is also ideal for wild gardens and on banks.
Grow Geranium sanguineum in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or shade. Deadhead spent blooms regularly to prolong flowering. Plants self seed readily.
Plant calendar
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Feb
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Plant
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Flowers
yes
yes
yes
Divide
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Take cuttings
yes
Prune
yes
yes
Collect seeds
yes
yes
Geranium and wildlife
Geranium is known for attracting bees, beneficial insects, butterflies/moths and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
