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Geranium sanguineum (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, the form we grow has fuchsia-colored flowers and we rarely get cold enough to see much fall color in the foliage. Flowering commences in late spring and continues through summer. It will occasionally reseed in the irrigated garden but certainly is not weedy.
Plant in full sun to light shade and water regularly to occasionally. It is cold 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 have been growing this great little plant since 1983.
The information displayed on this page about Geranium sanguineum is based on the research we have conducted about it in our nursery library as well as from information provided by reliable online resources. We also include our own observations made about this plant as it grows in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant have performed in the containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we have received from others and welcome hearing from anyone with information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information that will aid others to better grow it.
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