Cranesbill is an extremely versatile perennial. There is a suitable geranium type and variety for almost every location, from full sun in the border to full shade under trees and other shrubs. But be careful: Do not confuse the cranesbill (known as "geranium" in technical jargon) with the so-called geraniums - these are actually sun-loving pelargoniums.
The brown cranesbill also thrives in the shade
Abundant flowering even in full shade
Most cranesbills also thrive in partially shaded locations - full sun is only required for a few species. The Geranium endressii, the Pyrenean cranesbill and the rock cranesbill (Geranium macrorrhizum), also known as the Balkan cranesbill, are particularly suitable for this purpose, both of which are very suitable as ground cover due to their vigour.
Beautiful cranesbill species for the shade
But even for very shady locations there is a whole range of cranesbills that are very tolerant of shade and still bloom and grow happily. The knotty mountain forest cranesbill is particularly robust and adaptable and basically feels at home almost anywhere. The very shade-tolerant species is ideal for problematic locations, such as under dense trees. It self-seeds and forms a carpet of leaves even under murky conifers. Due to its good shade tolerance, the brown cranesbill is also well suited for planting under groups of trees.
| German name | Laterinian designation | location | floor | blossom | heyday | Popular Varieties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Cranesbill | Geranium macrorrhizum | sunny to shady | loamy-humic, moderately moist | pink, white | May to July | "Czakor", magenta |
| "Spessart", white | ||||||
| "Gingwersen's Variety", light pink | ||||||
| Knotty Mountain Forest Cranesbill | Geranium nodosum | sunny to shady | moderately nutritious, well-drained | purple pink | June to August | "Svelte Lilac", lilac-pink |
| "Whiteleaf", magenta | ||||||
| Oxford cranesbill | Geranium oxonianum | sunny to shady | moderately nutritious, moist | pink | June to August | "Claridge Druce", lilac-pink |
| "Hollywood", light pink | ||||||
| "Rose Light", magenta pink | ||||||
| "Trevor's White", white | ||||||
| "Wargrave Pink", salmon pink | ||||||
| Brown cranesbill | Geranium phaeum | sunny to shady | loamy-humic, permeable | mostly dark, white | June to July | "Album", white |
| "Samobor", dark purple |
tips
When planting, make sure that fast-growing species such as the rock cranesbill quickly crowd out other plants or overgrow them. Plan as much space as possible for such cranesbills.