This is one of my favorite plants. I planted one in our wildflower meadow in Vermont over a decade ago, and very few other flowers have rewarded us so richly. It has had no special care, left to its own for watering and everything else, growing in tough, heavy clay. From the beginning, I was amazed how it simply stayed in bloom. From late spring all the way into fall--that clump with the deep red flowers was always there! Over the years, it has spread nicely, and is more beautiful every season. This incredible geranium is not a No. American native, but it is closely related and reminds many people of our own Wild Geranium, G. maculata (which by the way has a very short bloom season!). Geranium sanguineum is a beautiful dark green groundcover-like plant with ferny foliage, it is not invasive, it needs absolutely no care, and it just keeps blooming. Who could ask for more from any plant? You can't beat this one for anyplace where you'd like low permanent cover and constant color.
More on Hardy Geraniums: "Patricia" is taller than most perennial geraniums, topping out at almost 30 inches. The flowers are large, and bright magenta-pink, much like a dark pink petunia.
The Hardy Geraniums were not very well-known in North America until recent years, but have always been a favorite group in Europe. Now, American gardeners have really embraced them, and can't get enough. These plants, far different from windowbox geraniums, which are in a totally different botanical group, are tough, hardy perennials that bring to gardens what every gardener wants: compact plants with a long season of bloom. Some bloom longer than others, but basically, along with really beautiful flowers, long bloom is the big advanatage of these plants.
A common name across all the species is "Cranesbill" which refers to the sharp-pointed seed pod after flowering.
There are about 20 species worldwide, and two magenta-flowered ones are well-known in the US. Our Wild Geranium, or "Wild Cranesbill", G. maculatum, plus another called "Herb Robert" are found over most of the east as treasured wildflowers, but their short season of bloom makes them non-competitors with the others for garden space. Most of the garden favorites are crosses between species from Europe and Asia.
Blue: The basic coloring of "The Lilac Geranium" from the Himalayas, for example, gives us many of the great blue selections. Most popular from this group is "Johnson's Blue", a favorite with large (1 1/2 to 2") true blue flowers.
Purple/Magenta: Geranium sanguineum, is a species native to northern Europe and Asia, and known as "Bloody Cranesbill" due to its magenta flowers. It has become famous itself (the wild form) and is now the most popular hardy geranium in the US.
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Botanical Name
: Geranium sanguineum
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Common Name
: Crane's Bill
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Color
: Bright pink flowers
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Spread/Width
: 12-16" wide
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Bloom Time
: Late spring to early summer
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Sun/Shade
: Full sun to partial shade
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Soil Preferences
: Adaptable to a variety of soil condtions. Though it prefers moist, well drained soil.
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Advantages
: Deer resistant
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Indigenous To
: No. American Native Plant or near hybrid
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