Meet the Cranesbill (Geranium)—a true superstar of the garden world. This genus is massive, with about 400 different species out there. On top of the wild varieties, we’ve got tons of garden hybrids that are specially bred to be well-behaved (meaning they won’t go crazy seeding themselves everywhere). Whether you’re looking for gorgeous, sometimes evergreen foliage or delicate, cup-shaped flowers in a rainbow of colors, there’s a Geranium for you.
Native and Naturalized Varieties
While many of these beauties are native to Europe and Western Asia, they’ve made themselves right at home in gardens everywhere. Some of the classic types you’ll run into include:
- The Wood Cranesbill
- The Bloody Cranesbill
- The Meadow Cranesbill
Thanks to their hardy nature, varieties from Southern Europe and the Near East have also become staples in modern landscaping.
How to Use Cranesbill in Your Garden
If you’re looking for a plant that’s low-maintenance and easygoing, look no further. Cranesbill is a go-to choice for ground cover. Because it spreads reliably and doesn’t mind a bit of shade, it’s perfect for filling in those tricky gaps. But don’t pigeonhole it—it also looks stunning in a traditional perennial bed. Just a quick tip: most varieties prefer to stay out of the scorching midday sun, and they absolutely hate “wet feet,” so make sure your soil drains well.
Low-Maintenance Ground Covers
Before you start digging, it’s a good idea to match the variety to your garden’s specific “vibe.” Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
- The Balkan Cranesbill thrives in the shade, making it perfect for planting under trees or along a wooded edge.
- The low-growing Cambridge Geranium is a tough cookie that handles full sun and spreads quickly.
- Armenian Cranesbill varieties are super versatile and love anything from sunny spots to dappled shade in a flower bed.
- Mourning Widow (Brown Cranesbill), Meadow, and Wood varieties feel right at home in naturalized meadow settings.
- The gray-leafed Caucasus Cranesbill is a rock garden favorite.
- The ‘Rozanne’ hybrid is a powerhouse ground cover; it forms lush cushions and sends out long runners to fill space fast.
- The Cambridge variety is also quite vigorous—it looks amazing cascading down garden steps.
- Need to cover a slope? Balkan Cranesbill is your best friend for choking out weeds on an incline.
- Bloody Cranesbill is the perfect pick for sunny to semi-shaded spots, and it’s incredibly easy to propagate by dividing the clumps.
Why Cranesbill Makes the Perfect Ground Cover
If you have bare patches in your yard that need some love, a hardy ground cover is the way to go. Cranesbill is a top-tier choice for a few big reasons:
- It has a nice, compact growth habit.
- It fills in empty spaces quickly.
- It’s a natural weed suppressant (less weeding for you!).
- Many varieties stay green even through the winter.
- The flowers are a magnet for bees and other pollinators.
- It’s about as low-maintenance as a perennial gets.
- Most are very winter-hardy, though in super cold climates, a little “blanket” of evergreen branches doesn’t hurt.
