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Geranium sanguineum 'Soft Pink' (Cranesbill) - This bushy low-growing perennial forms tight 1 to 1 ½ foot tall mounds of 2-4-inch-wide leaves that are divided into 5 to 7 segments which in turn are 3 lobed. Although often referred to as the Bloody Cranesbill, in reference to its dark red flower forms and winter foliage color, this form has light pink colored flowers. Flowering commences in late spring and continues through summer.
It takes moderate watering and will do well in the sun or light shade. It is hardy to USDA Zone 5, taking temperatures down to near 0 degrees F.
Geranium sanguineum comes from rocky and sandy soils throughout much of southern Europe into Turkey. The etymology of the genus name Geranium, and the family Geraniaceae, is derived from the Greek word, 'geranos' which means "crane" from the seed capsule's resemblance to beak of this bird. It is a large genus with over 430 species distributed throughout most of the world, except in lowland tropical areas. The specific Latin name sanguineum means blood red in reference to the typical flower color of the species and the color of the leaves in fall. We grew this plant for only a couple of years (2016-2018) after noting one of our seed grown crops had lighter pink flowers instead of the fuchsia-colored flowers of the form we had grown since 1983 and still grow and sell as a Geranium sanguineum.
This information about Geranium sanguineum 'Soft Pink' displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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