Bloody Cranesbill Geranium sanguineum 'Ankum's Pride'
ABOUT
Geranium sanguineum 'Ankum's Pride', commonly known as bloody cranesbill, is a perennial plant known for its ornamental qualities and durable nature. This variety features a mound of deeply lobed, dark green foliage that turns red in the fall, providing seasonal interest. From late spring to early summer, it produces a plethora of eye-catching flowers. The blooms of 'Ankum's Pride' are notable for their vibrant pink color, with each flower showcasing delicate veining and a slightly paler center, which adds depth and contrast to the flower's appearance. The blossoms are typically rounded, with five distinct petals, and form loose clusters above the foliage. These flowers are not only visually appealing but also attract a variety of pollinators to the garden, including bees and butterflies. As a hardy plant, bloody cranesbill thrives in a range of conditions, although it prefers well-drained soil and can tolerate periods of drought once established. Its dense and attractive foliage makes it an excellent ground cover or border plant, and it can also be used effectively in rock gardens or to fill in gaps in perennial beds. Its colorful and long-lasting flowering, coupled with the changing foliage color, ensures that 'Ankum's Pride' brings multi-seasonal interest to any garden setting.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Geraniaceae.
Synonyms
Bloody Cranesbill, Bloody Geranium.
Common names
Geranium sanguineum 'Ankum's Pride'.
ToxicityTo humans
Geranium sanguineum, commonly known as bloody cranesbill, is generally considered non-toxic to humans. There are no commonly reported symptoms of poisoning from ingesting this plant, and it is not known to cause significant adverse health consequences if consumed in small quantities. However, as with any plant, individual reactions can vary, and it is generally advisable to avoid ingesting plants that are not specifically intended for consumption.
To pets
Bloody cranesbill is also considered non-toxic to pets. It should not cause any significant symptoms of poisoning if a pet ingests parts of the plant. There are no widely recognized toxic consequences associated with the ingestion of Geranium sanguineum in pets. However, pet owners should always encourage their pets to eat appropriate food and discourage them from eating plants, as individual cases might vary, and some pets may have sensitivities or allergic reactions to plants that are not typically toxic.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
1foot 6inches (45 cm)
Spread
1foot 6inches (45 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Geranium sanguineum 'Ankum's Pride', commonly known as Bloody Cranesbill, attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, supporting biodiversity in the garden.
- Low Maintenance: It is a hardy perennial that requires minimal care once established, making it ideal for low-maintenance landscaping.
- Drought Tolerant: The plant is relatively drought resistant, which makes it suitable for xeriscaping or gardens in drier climates.
- Aesthetic Appeal: With its bright pink flowers and attractive foliage, Bloody Cranesbill adds vibrant color and texture to garden beds, borders, and containers.
- Rapid Growth: It has a fast growth rate, quickly filling in spaces and providing ground cover, which helps to suppress weeds.
- Seasonal Interest: The plant has a long blooming period, which typically lasts from late spring to early fall, providing prolonged visual interest.
- Soil Improvement: Bloody Cranesbill can help improve soil conditions by preventing erosion with its dense growth habit.
- Versatility: It is versatile in landscaping use, suitable for rock gardens, perennial borders, and as edging plants due to its mounding habit.
- Wildlife Support: The plant provides food in the form of nectar and pollen to native insects, which is crucial for local ecosystems.
- Tolerance to Various Conditions: Bloody Cranesbill can thrive in a variety of soil types and pH levels, and it can tolerate light shade to full sun.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Geranium sanguineum 'Ankum's Pride', commonly known as bloody cranesbill, can be used to create a natural dye for fabrics, offering hues ranging from green to brown depending on the mordant used.
- Bloody cranesbill's dense growth can provide excellent ground cover to suppress weeds and maintain soil moisture in garden beds.
- The plant's foliage can contribute a rustic aesthetic to potpourris, especially when the leaves turn red in the fall, adding a seasonal touch to the mix.
- Bloody cranesbill can be incorporated into floral arrangements for a touch of wild elegance, especially with its delicate small flowers that bloom in summer.
- Pressed flower crafts can benefit from the inclusion of bloody cranesbill's flowers and foliage, which retain their shape and color well.
- Gardeners can use the plant to create living borders or edges along pathways, showcasing its bright flowers and dense foliage.
- Bloody cranesbill is a potential natural insect repellent, as some gardeners observe that its presence seems to deter certain pests.
- The plant can be used to stabilize soil on slopes or banks, to prevent erosion due to its spreading growth habit.
- In photography, the vibrant colors and textures of bloody cranesbill can serve as an excellent natural backdrop for macro and nature photography.
- For educational purposes, bloody cranesbill can be used to demonstrate the lifecycle of a perennial plant and the process of pollination to students and gardening enthusiasts.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Geranium is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Geranium is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Health and Longevity: Geraniums are often associated with health and the promotion of long life due to their hardiness and ability to thrive in various conditions.
- Friendship: The flower is sometimes given as a gift to signify friendship and to wish the recipient happiness and positive emotions.
- Peace: With its calming scent, the geranium can symbolize peace and relaxation, making it a perfect plant to have in homes for a tranquil environment.
- Stability and Grounding: Because geraniums can be used as grounding plants in gardens, they are also seen as symbols of stability and groundedness in one’s life.
- Fertility and Abundance: In some cultures, geraniums represent fertility and abundance because of their full, richly packed blossoms and generous growth.
WaterBloody Cranesbill, also known as Geranium sanguineum 'Ankum's Pride', should be watered deeply once a week, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. During hot and dry spells, increase the frequency to twice a week. When watering, aim to provide 1 to 1.5 gallons of water per plant, ensuring even soil moisture but not waterlogging the soil. Reduce watering in the winter months when the plant is not actively growing.
LightBloody Cranesbill thrives in full sun to partial shade conditions. It is best situated in a spot where it can receive at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily, complemented by some dappled or filtered light during the hottest part of the afternoon.
TemperatureBloody Cranesbill can survive in temperatures that range from approximately 20°F to 85°F; however, it prefers moderate temperatures and grows best when daytime temperatures are around 75°F. They can withstand colder winter temperatures and will come back in the spring after dying back.
PruningBloody Cranesbill benefits from pruning to remove dead or faded flowers and foliage, which encourages new growth and a second flush of flowers. Pruning is best done after the first blooming cycle, typically in midsummer. Additionally, cutting the plant back in late autumn helps to maintain a neat appearance.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Bloody Cranesbill 'Ankum's Pride' thrives best in well-draining soil enriched with organic matter. A good soil mix would include two parts garden soil, one part peat moss, and one part perlite or coarse sand, which encourages drainage and aeration. This plant prefers a soil pH range of 5.8 to 6.3, which is slightly acidic to neutral.
RepottingBloody Cranesbill 'Ankum's Pride' typically does not need frequent repotting and can be done every 3 to 4 years, or as needed when it outgrows its current container. Early spring is the best time to repot this plant to minimize stress and promote healthy growth during its active growing season.
Humidity & MistingBloody Cranesbill 'Ankum's Pride' is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels, but it prefers moderate humidity. It generally thrives in outdoor settings where the humidity naturally fluctuates. However, it does not have specific high humidity requirements and can adapt to the typical humidity levels found in most temperate climates.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light and ensure good air circulation.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade to full sun, in moist, well-drained soil.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleGeranium sanguineum 'Ankum's Pride', commonly known as Bloody Cranesbill, begins its life cycle when seeds are sown in the soil, where they germinate to produce small seedlings. The seedlings grow into juvenile plants, developing a rosette of leaves at the soil surface. As the plant matures, it develops a robust root system and foliage, and in late spring to early summer, it produces distinctive magenta-pink flowers that attract pollinators. After pollination, the flowers develop into beak-like seed capsules, which, when ripe, can propel seeds some distance from the parent plant. Following seed dispersal, the parent plant may enter a period of dormancy, particularly in regions with cold winters, where it conserves energy by dying back to the ground. In the following growing season, the plant resumes growth from its rootstock, continuing its perennial life cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
Geranium sanguineum 'Ankum's Pride', commonly known as Bloody Cranesbill, can be propagated most effectively through division, which is best done in either spring or early fall. This propagation technique involves gently separating the plant's rhizomes or tubers from an established, mature clump. Careful excavation around the base of the plant allows gardeners to lift the clump from the ground. Once lifted, the clump can be divided into smaller sections, each with a portion of root and a few shoots. These sections can then be replanted in well-draining soil at the same depth they were growing before, and spaced about 12 inches (about 30 centimeters) apart to accommodate growth. It is critical to water the newly planted divisions well to help establish them in their new locations. This method is highly preferred for its simplicity and effectiveness in creating new plants that will bloom within the next growing season.
