Bloody Cranesbill Geranium sanguineum 'Little Bead'
ABOUT
Geranium sanguineum 'Little Bead', commonly known as bloody cranesbill, is a vibrant and decorative perennial plant known for its low maintenance and attractive appearance. It features a dense spread of deeply lobed, dark green leaves that form a lush carpet-like foliage. During the flowering season, the bloody cranesbill showcases an abundance of vivid magenta-pink to purple flowers. Each blossom is circular in shape and consists of five distinct petals, with delicate veining and a paler center that creates a striking contrast against the darker foliage. These flowers are not only a treat for the eyes but also attract a variety of pollinators like bees and butterflies, adding to the liveliness of your garden. The leaves often turn to reddish hues in the fall, providing extended seasonal interest beyond the blooming period. Overall, the bloody cranesbill 'Little Bead' is prized for its ornamental qualities and the delightfully vibrant touch it adds to any garden space.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Geraniaceae
Synonyms
Bloody Cranesbill, Bloody Geranium
Common names
Geranium sanguineum.
ToxicityTo humans
The Bloody Cranesbill is generally considered non-toxic to humans. However, as with any plant not typically used for consumption, some individuals may have sensitivity or allergic reactions to it. If accidentally ingested in large quantities, it could potentially cause mild stomach upset or other digestive symptoms. Such cases are rare, and serious consequences from ingestion are not commonly reported.
To pets
The Bloody Cranesbill is also considered non-toxic to pets. While it is unlikely to cause serious harm if ingested by animals such as dogs or cats, ingestion can sometimes lead to minor gastrointestinal upset. Symptoms could potentially include vomiting or diarrhea, but significant toxic effects are not expected from this plant.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
0.5 feet (15 centimeters)
Spread
1 foot (30 centimeters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Low Maintenance: This plant requires minimal care once established, making it ideal for busy gardeners or those looking for hardy landscaping options.
- Drought Tolerance: Geranium sanguineum 'Little Bead' can survive in relatively dry conditions, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects, supporting biodiversity in the garden.
- Ground Cover: Its growth habit makes it an excellent ground cover, helping to suppress weeds and protect soil from erosion.
- Aesthetic Appeal: With its vibrant pink to purple flowers and lacy foliage, it adds color and texture to garden beds and borders.
- Deer and Rabbit Resistant: The plant is generally resistant to deer and rabbits, which can help to prevent damage to your garden's foliage.
- Seasonal Interest: It blooms in late spring to early summer, providing seasonal interest in the landscape when many other plants have yet to flower.
- Easy Propagation: The plant can be easily propagated through division, allowing gardeners to expand their plantings without additional cost.
- Versatile Uses: Suitable for rock gardens, borders, cottage gardens, and containers, offering a range of planting options.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Geranium 'Little Bead' can be used in potpourri for its scented foliage, providing a gentle fragrance to homemade potpourri mixtures.
- The leaves of the Cranesbill may be infused in oil for use in aromatic candles, offering a subtle, earthy aroma when the candles burn.
- Dried leaves of the Cranesbill can be pressed and used in botanical crafts, such as in framed plant art or decorative bookmarks.
- The flowers can be used as natural dyes, imparting colors ranging from light pinks to purples onto fabrics or papers.
- Plant enthusiasts may use Geranium 'Little Bead' as a subject in botanical illustration, due to its interesting foliage and attractive flowers.
- The dense growth habit makes Cranesbill suitable as a living mulch to suppress weeds in a garden setting.
- Cranesbill can be planted between stepping stones or pavers to create a lush, living pathway that tolerates light foot traffic.
- The plant can contribute to a sensory garden, with its textured leaves and colorful flowers offering visual and tactile stimulation.
- The petals of Cranesbill can be used to decorate cakes or desserts, as long as they have not been treated with pesticides.
- Geranium 'Little Bead' can serve as a photography subject for those practicing macro photography, due to their intricate flower structure.
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: Geraniums are often associated with health and vitality because of their robust nature and vibrant flowers.
- Friendship: Sharing a geranium plant has been thought to symbolize a deep and meaningful friendship between two people.
- Happiness: The bright and cheerful blooms of geraniums are believed to represent happiness and positive emotions.
- Stress Relief: Geraniums are sometimes used in aromatherapy and believed to offer a soothing effect, symbolizing stress relief.
- Fertility: Some cultures associate geraniums with fertility and abundance due to their prolific and full blossoms.
WaterCranesbill, the common name for Geranium sanguineum 'Little Bead', prefers consistent moisture without being waterlogged. Water it once or twice a week, providing enough water to moisten the soil to a depth of about an inch. During hot, dry periods, you may need to water more frequently to maintain soil moisture levels. Be vigilant not to over-water, as cranesbill does not like standing water. An indication of needing water is when the topsoil feels dry to the touch. Over the course of the month, you should aim to provide about one to two gallons per square foot, adjusting as necessary based on rainfall and temperature conditions.
LightCranesbill thrives best in full sun to partial shade. The ideal spot for this plant would be an area that receives morning sunlight and partial shade during the intense afternoon heat. Ensure it gets at least four to six hours of sunlight daily for optimal growth.
TemperatureCranesbill can tolerate a wide range of temperatures but grows best when daytime temperatures are between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It can survive minimum temperatures down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit, making it capable of enduring mild winters. Be mindful to protect it from extreme cold or unusually high temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
PruningPruning cranesbill helps to maintain its shape, encourage bushier growth, and remove spent flowers to promote further blooming. Prune lightly throughout the growing season to remove dead or damaged foliage and spent blooms. The best time for more substantial pruning is in late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins.
CleaningAs needed
SoilBloody Cranesbill 'Little Bead' thrives best in a soil mixture that is well-draining and rich in organic matter. A mixture composed of equal parts loam, peat or compost, and sand or perlite is ideal. The pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 5.8 to 7. This environment will ensure adequate drainage and nutrient availability for optimal growth.
RepottingBloody Cranesbill 'Little Bead' does not typically require frequent repotting; it should be repotted every 2 to 3 years to replenish soil nutrients and to accommodate growth. When repotting, choose a container only slightly larger than the current one to prevent overwatering.
Humidity & MistingBloody Cranesbill 'Little Bead' is not particularly humidity-sensitive and can thrive in average ambient humidity found in most homes or gardens. No special humidity adjustments are necessary beyond normal outdoor conditions.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Bloody Cranesbill 'Little Bead' in bright, indirect light indoors.
Outdoor
Plant in part sun to full sun with well-draining soil outdoors.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleGeranium sanguineum 'Little Bead', commonly known as Bloody Cranesbill, begins its life cycle as a seed that germinates in the spring, when soil temperatures warm up. Upon germination, the seedling emerges and develops a root system and foliage through the process of vegetative growth. As the plant matures, it develops a mound of deeply lobed, dark green leaves. During late spring to early summer, Bloody Cranesbill enters its flowering stage, producing bright magenta-pink flowers that attract pollinators and aid in the reproductive cycle. After pollination, the flowers give way to distinctive beak-like seed pods that contain seeds, which then fall to the ground or are dispersed, completing the cycle. Finally, the plant goes into a period of dormancy in the winter, with its foliage dying back, and resuming growth the following spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Summer
Geranium sanguineum 'Little Bead', commonly known as Bloody Cranesbill, is most effectively propagated through division. This process is best done in the spring or fall when the plant's growth is not at its peak, ensuring minimal stress on the plant. To propagate by division, dig up the plant and carefully split it into smaller sections, ensuring that each new section has roots attached. These divisions can then be immediately replanted at the same depth they were growing at previously, spaced about 12 inches (approximately 30 centimeters) apart, and watered thoroughly to help establish the new plants. This method of propagation allows gardeners to quickly increase their stock of Bloody Cranesbill while maintaining the genetic consistency of the parent plant.
