General Culture:

Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Tolerates some drought, but prefers and spreads best in moist, humusy soils with good drainage. Deadheading is tedious for larger plantings and probably unnecessary. Side stems may be removed at any time to control spread. If not deadheaded, some self-seeding may occur in ideal growing conditions. Foliage may decline after flowering in hot summer climates, at which point it may be lightly sheared back and shaped to revitalize.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

This hardy geranium cultivar is a prostrate, clump-forming perennial which forms a spreading mound of foliage that typically grows to only 2" tall but spreads to 12" wide. Features 5-petaled, carmine red flowers (3/4" diameter) and small, deeply-lobed, dark green leaves. Primarily blooms in May and June with a sparser rebloom occurring throughout the summer. Foliage often turns attractive shades of red in autumn. Flowers are followed by attractive seed heads which purportedly resemble a crane's bill. This species is sometimes commonly called bloody cranesbill in reference to its deep red flowers and the crane-like seed heads. An introduction of Wayside Gardens in Hodges, South Carolina in honor of their Director of Horticulture, John Elsley.

Problems:

No serious insect or disease problems.

Uses:

Trough gardens or rock gardens. Mass for small area ground cover. Containers.

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