Wood Cranesbill Geranium sylvaticum f. roseum 'Baker's Pink'

Names

• Synonyms

  Baker's Pink Geranium, Woodland Geranium, Pink Wood Cranesbill.

• Common names

  Geranium sylvaticum var. roseum.

Toxicity

• To humans

  Wood Cranesbill (Geranium sylvaticum) is not considered highly toxic to humans. However, ingesting parts of the plant, especially in significant quantities, may cause mild gastrointestinal upset, including symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. It is always advisable to avoid eating ornamental plants, even if they are not severely poisonous, as they are not meant for human consumption.

• To pets

  Wood Cranesbill is also not recognized as being highly toxic to pets. Similar to humans, if pets ingest parts of this plant, they may experience mild gastrointestinal distress. Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, and possibly a loss of appetite, but the plant is not expected to cause severe toxicity or long-term health problems in pets. It is always safer to prevent pets from ingesting non-food plants to avoid these potential issues.

Characteristics

• Life cycle

  Perennials

• Foliage type

  Deciduous

• Color of leaves

  Green

• Flower color

  Pink

• Height

  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)

• Spread

  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)

• Plant type

  Herb

• Hardiness zones

  4

• Native area

  Europe

General Benefits

• Aesthetic Appeal: Adds a splash of pink color to gardens with its rose-pink flowers, brightening up the landscape.
• Attracts Wildlife: It serves as a food source for pollinators such as bees and butterflies, promoting biodiversity.
• Durability: Hardy in a variety of climates and soil types, making it a resilient choice for many gardeners.
• Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, suitable for gardeners looking for low-effort plants.
• Seasonal Interest: Provides a long flowering season, offering visual interest throughout late spring and early summer.
• Garden Structure: Can be used to create borders or as ground cover, providing structure to garden designs.
• Companion Planting: Works well when planted alongside other perennials, enhancing overall garden diversity.

Medical Properties

This plant is not used for medical purposes.

Air-purifying Qualities

This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.

Other Uses

• Geranium sylvaticum, commonly known as woodland geranium, can be used for natural dyeing due to its various pigments, particularly in the petals.
• The plant's leaves can serve as a filler in floral arrangements, providing a delicate green backdrop for more colorful flowers.
• Woodland geranium is incorporated in perfumery for its subtle and pleasant fragrance as a backnote in floral scents.
• The dried leaves and petals can be used in potpourris to add a natural, earthy aroma to a room.
• Pressed flowers of the woodland geranium can be used in crafts such as card making, bookmark creation, or decoupage.
• Its vibrant blooms can be used to add visual interest to edible dishes, such as in salads, though it should be done with caution after confirming edibility.
• Woodland geranium can be planted as a companion plant in gardens to attract beneficial insects, such as bees and butterflies.
• The plant serves as a natural indicator of soil acidity; it thrives in more acidic soils, which gardeners can use as a cue for soil conditions.
• When planted in large groups, woodland geranium can be used as ground cover to help with soil erosion control.
• The strong stems of the woodland geranium can be used in basket weaving for decorative purposes.

Feng Shui

The Wood Cranesbill, which is a common name for Geranium sylvaticum, can be used to introduce vibrant energy and promote balance in a home or garden. In Feng Shui, flowers like the Wood Cranesbill might be used to add a pop of color and life energy, known as 'chi', particularly in areas that are connected to personal growth and health, which correspond to the east sector of a space. Their blossoming nature can symbolize new beginnings and is often favored in living areas where the energy of growth and renewal is desired.

Zodiac Sign Compitability

The Wood Cranesbill is not used in astrology practice.

Plant Symbolism

• Unexpected Meeting: Because Geraniums can pop up in various places due to their ease of cultivation, they're often associated with unexpected encounters or serendipity.
• Friendship: Geraniums are a common gift between friends, symbolizing friendship and positive emotions.
• Health: The geranium is also a symbol of good health, perhaps because it has been used in traditional medicine.
• Fertility: With its prolific blooming and growth, some cultures view geraniums as a symbol of fertility and abundance.
• Happiness and Positive Emotions: The bright and varying colors of geranium flowers are often linked to cheerfulness and maintaining a positive outlook.