Bloody Cranesbill
Geranium sanguineum
A low-growing perennial with deeply lobed, palmately divided green leaves that turn brilliant shades of bright red and crimson in autumn. The slender stems form a neat, mound-forming habit.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal leaf coloration and flowering.
- Water
- Moderate watering needs. Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry. Established plants have moderate drought tolerance.
- Growth
- Herbaceous perennial forming a dense, mounding habit, growing to a mature height of 9 to 18 inches and spreading 18 to 24 inches wide with a moderate growth rate.
Care instructions
Plant in well-draining soil with consistent moisture during the growing season. Provide full sun to partial shade, and apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal leaf coloration and flowering.
Watering
Moderate watering needs. Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry. Established plants have moderate drought tolerance.
Soil
Prefers average, medium moisture, well-draining soils with a neutral pH range of 6.0 to 7.0.
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9.
Growth habit
Herbaceous perennial forming a dense, mounding habit, growing to a mature height of 9 to 18 inches and spreading 18 to 24 inches wide with a moderate growth rate.
Bloom season
Blooms from late spring through late summer with cup-shaped, five-petaled magenta to purplish-pink flowers.
Propagation
Propagated easily by root division in early spring or autumn, or from seeds sown in containers in a cold frame.
Common pests & issues
Generally robust and problem-free. May occasionally be affected by powdery mildew or rust in humid conditions with poor air circulation.
Similar species
Geranium pratense (Meadow Cranesbill), which has taller stems and less intensely autumn-colored foliage compared to the vibrant red of Geranium sanguineum.