How to Grow and Care for Bloody cranesbill

Bloody cranesbill, also known as Bloody geranium, Blood-red geranium, Dock blood

Bloody cranesbill is known for its hardiness and ease of care, thriving in a variety of conditions. Special care points include well-draining soil and consistent watering, though it's drought-tolerant once established. Deadheading spent blooms can encourage more flowering. Direct summer afternoon sun should be avoided to prevent leaf scorch. Overall, bloody cranesbill is an easy-care plant suitable for gardeners of all levels.

Watering schedule: Every 1-2 weeks

Sunlight Requirements: Full sun

In This Article

Planting and Growing Bloody cranesbill

Toughness	High
Care Level	Medium
Care Difficulty	Easy
Lifespan	Perennial, Annual
Watering Schedule	Every 1-2 weeks
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun
Soil Type	Garden Soil
Soil pH	6-7.5
Planting Time	Spring
Hardiness Zones	4-8

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Varieties of Bloody cranesbill

Bloody cranesbill 'Shepherd's Warning'

As the saying goes, ‘red sky in the morning, shepherd’s warning.’ So as you’d expect, bloody cranesbill 'Shepherd's Warning' has flowers that shade deeper violet than those of its parent plant. Since it’s a low-lying spreading plant, it’s a popular garden choice for borders and groundcover.

Bloody cranesbill 'Album'

The bloody cranesbill 'Album' is a cultivar from the geranium family. This perennial has white flowers with five petals and green leaves. It is sometimes referred to as White Bloody Cranesbill. It has an award from the Royal Horticultural Society. The cultivar name is a variation on the Latin word for white.

Bloody cranesbill 'Elke'

Bloody cranesbill 'Elke' is a mat-forming plant that produces bright pink flowers with dark pink veins and pale petal tips and centers. This two-colored bloom is quite distinct from the violet color of the parent plant. This plant grows best in well-drained moist soil and since it spreads out in a mat is perfect for borders and garden path verges. This Belgian cultivar has been given a ladies' name from that country.

Bloody cranesbill 'Max Frei'

Bloody cranesbill 'Max Frei' is a geranium cultivar bred to be compact and also to produce lovely reddish-purple flowers. These contrast beautifully with the plant's dark green leaves. This decorative plant is ideal for pots and beds and will attract butterflies to the garden.

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More General Info About Bloody cranesbill

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Quickly Identify Bloody cranesbill

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Bloody cranesbill is distinguished by its dense, low clusters typically reaching heights of 1 to 1.5 feet (30 to 45 cm). Its foliage comprises deeply lobed leaves, each spanning 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) and divided into 5-7 segments, further split into three parts. The perennial is noted for its vivid fuchsia flowers that bloom profusely from late spring to summer. Hardy to USDA Zone 5, this plant can withstand temperatures down to nearly 0°F (-18°C) and prefers moderate watering.