Between 380 and 430 different species of cranesbill or geranium are known worldwide. All cranesbill species have flowers with five petals, which can take on very different shapes. The color spectrum ranges from white to shades of blue, pink and magenta to violet. After the flower has been fertilized, the style lengthens and forms the "beak", to which the genus owes its name. Here we present some of the most popular cranesbill species and their varieties.

Depending on the species, cranesbill flowers are white, pink, red or blue

Cambridge cranesbill (Geranium cantabrigiense)

Evergreen in mild winters, this compact perennial has light green leaves that turn reddish in fall. Dense inflorescences of numerous flat, usually purple-pink or white flowers appear above the foliage from May to July. The plant grows about 25 centimeters high and twice as wide. The perennial is particularly suitable as a ground cover between trees and shrubs, but also in rock gardens, along roadsides and stairs as well as in tubs.

Gray cranesbill (Geranium cinereum)

The plant, which grows up to 15 centimeters high and about twice as wide, forms loose clumps of small rosettes. The distinctive grey-green colored foliage is particularly striking, from which short-stalked inflorescences with several white or pale pink flowers appear between June and September. The perennial is ideal for rock gardens and the edging of gravel beds, but also for balcony boxes (€109.00) and tubs.

Clarke's cranesbill (Geranium clarkei)

This is a sprawling, rhizome-forming perennial that spreads practically indefinitely. It grows to about 50 centimeters high and has lobed leaves that are up to 15 centimeters long. From June to August appear loose inflorescences with four to five centimeters wide, purple-violet or white flowers. The species is very suitable as a ground cover between trees and for borders.

Himalayan cranesbill (Geranium himalayense)

The Himalayan cranesbill, which grows to a height of about 40 centimetres, is a vigorous groundcover for sunny borders, which is particularly compatible with roses. The species has extraordinarily large flowers for cranesbills, which are usually tinted violet-blue or pink-red. Flowering time is between June and July.

Magnificent cranesbill (Geranium magnificum)

The lavishly purple-blue blooming cranesbill grows to about 60 centimeters high and just as wide. Please note that this species flowers only once and for a relatively short time, but then it is a real eye-catcher due to the very dense inflorescences with their numerous, very large flowers. The perennial goes particularly well with peonies.

Oxford cranesbill (Geranium oxonianum)

This cranesbill is ideal for problematic locations under and between groups of trees and is very tolerant of shade. However, you should not plant it in borders because it dominates other plants too much. The long shoots can even overgrow small shrubs. The plant is up to 80 centimeters high and 60 centimeters wide, the mostly pink flowers appear in loose inflorescences between June and August.

Blood-red cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum)

This delicate species, which is only about 30 centimeters high - some varieties are even much slower-growing - also thrives in pots and tubs and is a wonderful companion to roses. Due to the distinctive foliage, which turns red in autumn, the ornamental effect is enormous even after the flowering period.

Particularly recommendable cranesbill varieties

In the table below you will find a clear listing of some of the most beautiful cranesbill varieties. Due to the large number of different variants, the table is of course not complete.

variety kind blossom
Biokovo Geranium cantabrigiense soft pink
carmine Geranium cantabrigiense carmine
Saint Ola Geranium cantabrigiense White
ballerina Geranium cinereum purple pink
Cashmere Blue Geranium clarkei pale blue
cashmere pink Geranium clarkei pink
Kashmir White Geranium clarkei white with grey-pink veining
Gravetye Geranium himalayense lavender blue with pink center
plenum Geranium himalayense violet blue
Vital Geranium ibericum blue violet
Czakor Geranium macrorrhizum magenta
Spessart Geranium macrorrhizum white with brown center
Rosemoor Geranium magnificum purple violet
rose light Geranium oxonianum bright magenta pink
apple blossom Geranium sanguineum soft pink

tips

Among the most popular hybrid varieties is u. the very floriferous cranesbill hybrid "Rozanne" with its violet-blue flowers.

Category:

Vegetable garden