Growing Cranesbill geraniums
What many gardeners call a geranium is actually a pelargonium, a
non-hardy plant commonly planted for summer color. True geraniums are also found in the garden,
they are mostly hardy perennial or biannual plants and are commonly known as
cranesbill geraniums, wood geraniums, or wild geraniums. There are cranesbill geraniums that will grow
in sun or shade, in woodland gardens, rock gardens or formal garden beds. These refined and pretty plants deserve a
spot in every garden.
Species of true geraniums are found throughout temperate areas of the
world. One species, Geranium maculatum, commonly known as wood geranium is native to
North America and provides several cultivars for gardeners. Herb Robert, geranium robertianum and Geranium richardsonii are also North
American species.
Other species found in gardens include Geranium phaeum, sometimes called black widow or dusky cranesbill,
which is from Europe and has spawned several garden cultivars. Geranium
sanguineum is native to Europe and temperate Asia. Geranium cantabrigiense, Geranium cinereum, and Geranium pretense
have also contributed to the scores of geranium varieties. The geranium species hybridize fairly easily
and provide us with many interesting garden subjects.
The cranesbill geraniums have leaves with 5-7 lobes or parts, each of
which are also divided and usually have a wavy or toothed margin. There are
some varieties with purple or marron foliage.
Plants range from a few inches high to 2 feet, depending on
species.
The flowers of cranesbill geraniums may vary a bit depending on species
but most have 5 petals and are ½ inch to two inches wide. They are held above the foliage Some species have petals that are swept back
in a more “shooting star” shape. Colors
range from white through shades of pink, lavender, violet, blue, and even a
deep purple, almost black color. There
are spotted and streaked flowers also.
Most native species bloom for a few weeks in spring or summer but some
cultivated varieties have a longer bloom time, blooming on and off through
summer. The plants are generally used as
fillers, their dainty flowers and sometimes pretty foliage weaving among other
plants for a touch of color. They are
particularly useful for a touch of color in semi-shade. Some cranesbill geraniums make good
groundcovers and the ones with a compact form and colorful foliage are great
container plants. The newer compact plants are also used as specimen plants and
even as border edging.
The cranesbill geraniums get their name from their seedpods, which have a
long, pointed extension said to look like the bill of a crane or stork pointing
upward. (In some species the “bill” isn’t very long.) This seedpod is divided into 5 sections, the
“beak” is like the handles of 5 tiny spoons fused together and the bowl of each
spoon holds one seed. When the pod is
dried enough the seed pod violently contracts and each seed is hurled away from
the plant with the spoon catapults.
The cranesbill geraniums spread both by seed and in some species by
producing runners. They are not
considered aggressive spreaders in most locations. When plants have developed into large clumps
they may be divided for new plants.
Cranesbill geraniums have long been recognized as great garden
plants. The 2008 Perennial Plant of the
Year was Geranium ‘Rozanne’, a pretty blue flowered selection and the 2015
Perennial Plant of the Year was Geranium x cantabrigiense ‘Biokovo’, which is a
6-10 inch high groundcover that has white flowers lightly flushed with pink and
pink stamens.
Other common garden cultivars include ‘Johnson’s Blue’, ‘Wargrave Pink’,
‘Purple Pillow’, Geranium pratense ‘Black Beauty™’ which has dark purple
foliage and lavender flowers, ‘Espresso’ which has coffee colored foliage and
pink flowers, and Geranium sanguineum ‘Max Frei’ which has a compact rounded form with magenta
flowers.
Caring for
cranesbill geraniums
Choose the type of cranesbill geranium that best fits your needs by
reading plant descriptions carefully. Most cranesbill geraniums are hardy to
zone 4 or even 3 but some are less hardy so check the hardiness rating. Newer varieties are more compact and offer
longer bloom time but some old varieties are so charming you may want to
include them in the garden.
Most species of cranesbill geraniums prefer partial shade and rich
organic soil but are tolerant of other conditions. If kept moist most perform well in full
sun. They will tolerate some drought
but may go dormant in hot dry conditions and disappear for a while. In early spring fertilize with a general
purpose, granular fertilizer.
Cranesbill geraniums have few pests and problems in the garden. If you are growing the plant in a container
or as a specimen you may want to deadhead (remove dying flowers) to make the
plant look nicer. The plants do not need regular dividing, although you can
take divisions of large plants if you want to propagate it. This is best done in early spring.
Some varieties of cranesbill geraniums get lanky and floppy after
blooming and can be trimmed back to 3-4 inches from the ground. If hot weather yellows the foliage it can also
be trimmed back. This will produce
better looking, more compact foliage and sometimes a second flush of
bloom. You can trim cranesbill geraniums
to the ground after several hard frosts.
Herbal uses
Cranesbill geraniums have astringent properties and dried powdered roots
were used to stop bleeding. The cooked, mashed roots were used for
hemorrhoids. A tea of leaves was made
for toothache and mouth sores by some Native Americans.
Cranesbill geraniums deserve a spot in your garden because they are
versatile, pretty and low maintenance.
There are so many varieties one is sure to suit your needs. Why not give this garden staple a try?
No comments:
Post a Comment