Plants
Cranesbill
Geranium · Geraniaceae
First, let us clear up the name muddle: cranesbill is the true geranium — the „geraniums“ in balcony boxes are botanically pelargoniums. The true Geranium perennial is hardy, indestructible and has long been voted a favourite perennial in England. Varieties like ‚Rozanne‘ flower from June until frost and are among the most rewarding border plants we know.
- Light
- Depends on species, from full sun to shade; most border varieties like sun to partial shade.
- Watering
- Low to moderate; water only in the first year and during long dry spells.
- Care level
- Easy
- Botanical
- Geranium
The range of varieties is huge and covers almost every garden situation: ‚Rozanne‘ is the definitive blue-violet perpetual bloomer, the Balkan cranesbill (Geranium macrorrhizum) greens even dry shade under trees with aromatic foliage, and the bloody cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum) forms magenta cushions for sunny, dry spots. For romantic borders there are double varieties like ‚Plenum Violaceum‘.
The cranesbill's great strength is how little it asks: once established, it needs neither feeding nor winter protection and is given a wide berth by slugs. Many species are also excellent ground covers that reliably suppress weeds — in low-maintenance gardens and grave plantings it is all but irreplaceable.
The most important care move is the rejuvenation cut: if meadow cranesbill or ‚Rozanne‘ is cut back close to the ground after the first flush in July, it regrows fresh and flowers a second time in late summer. Skip it and you simply give away flowers — the plant takes no offence at the radical cut.
For insects the cranesbill is a laid table: the open, bowl-shaped flowers are worked intensively by bees, bumblebees and hoverflies, and many species are native, making them ecologically especially valuable. The beak-like seed heads fling ripe seeds metres away — wild species happily self-sow.
In combination the cranesbill is the ideal gap-filler and rose companion: its blue-violet flowers hide bare rose bases, harmonise with delphiniums and bellflowers and calm down colourful borders. And you can put mix-up worries aside — cranesbill is considered non-toxic to people and pets.
Is Cranesbill toxic to children and pets?
- Children
- Non-toxic
- Cats
- Non-toxic
- Dogs
- Non-toxic
True cranesbill (Geranium) is considered non-toxic to cats, dogs and children. Not to be confused with balcony „geraniums“ (Pelargonium), which are mildly toxic to pets. Because of the tannins, eating larger amounts is still not advised.
Overview: toxic & non-toxic plants for cats, dogs and children
Care
- 01Plant in sun to shade depending on species — there is a suitable variety for almost every spot.
- 02Water regularly only in the planting year; established plants are astonishingly drought-proof.
- 03Cut back close to the ground after the first flush in July to trigger a second bloom.
- 04Give a little compost in spring; no further feeding is needed.
- 05Trim wild species after flowering if self-seeding is unwanted.
- 06Divide old clumps in spring or autumn if they go bare in the middle.
Frequently asked
- What is the difference between cranesbill and geranium?
- Botanically, cranesbill is the true geranium (genus Geranium) — a hardy garden perennial. The „geraniums“ in balcony boxes belong to the genus Pelargonium, are frost-tender and come from South Africa. The confusion dates from the 18th century, when both were still kept in one genus.
- Which cranesbill flowers longest?
- Unchallenged: the variety ‚Rozanne‘. It flowers from June until the first frost without any rejuvenation cut, because it is sterile and puts no energy into seed. It was named perennial of the century for good reason. ‚Patricia‘ and ‚Tiny Monster‘ also flower very persistently.
- Is cranesbill toxic to cats or dogs?
- No, cranesbill is considered non-toxic to cats and dogs. Caution is only needed over the name mix-up: balcony geraniums (pelargoniums) can cause stomach and skin irritation in pets. In the perennial border, however, Geranium is harmless.
- Should you cut cranesbill back after flowering?
- For most border varieties, yes: a cut close to the ground after the first flush brings fresh foliage and often a second bloom in late summer. Exceptions are perpetual bloomers like ‚Rozanne‘, which flower right through, and Balkan cranesbill, whose evergreen foliage is left standing.