Cranesbill or Geranium

There are nearly 260 different species in this genus but a relative few are suitable for landscapes. They come in several sizes from 3 inches to over 3 feet and colors range from white to dark purple. The single flowers have 5 petals. Some species are noted primarily for their foliage. Seed heads resemble the head of a crane, thus, the common name.

The plant commonly sold as an annual "geranium" is actually in the genus, Pelargonium. It is a relative but not a "true" geranium.

PGC-P-Geranium-cinereum-Splendens-2010-001_2

Geranium x cantabrigiense  
G. carolianum Carolina Cranesbill
G. cinereum Greyleaf Geranium
G. clarkei  
G. dalmaticum  
G. endressii Endres Cranesbill
G. grandiflorum = G. himalayense
G. himalayense Lilac Cranesbill
G. ibericum Iberian Cranesbill
Caucasus Mountains Geranium
G. ineisum Cleftleal Geranium
G. x 'Johnson's Blue'  
G. macrantizum  
G. macrorrhizum Bigroot Geranium
G. maculatum Spotted Geranium
G. x magnificum  
G. x oxonianum  
G. phaeum  
G. platypetalum  
G. pratense Meadow Geranium
G. psilostemon Armenian Geranium
G. pusillum Small flowered Cranesbill
G. pyizowianum  
G. renardii  
G. robertianum Herb Robert
G. sanguineum Bloodred Geranium
G. sylvaticum Wood Cranesbill
G. versicolor  
G. Waltiehianum Waillch Geranium

Species Height (in) Flower Color
G. cinereum 6-12 Red, pink
G. clarkei 15-20 Violet, white
G. dalmaticum 4-6 Mauve
G. endressii 15-18 Pink
G. himalayense 10-15 Lilac, purple veins
G. 'Johnson's Blue' 15-18 Blue
G. macrantizum 15-18 Magenta
G. x magnificum 18-24 Violet-blue
G. phaeum 18-24 Dark maroon
G. platypetalum 18-24 Violet
G. pratense 24-36 Purple
G. psilostemon 24-48 Red, black center
G. sanguineum 9-12 Magenta
G. sylvaticum 30-36 Violet-blue

* Guides and Keys are from the book "Herbaceous Perennial Plants A Treatise on their Identification, Culture and Garden Attributes" by Dr Allan M. Armitage of the University of Georgia. Varsity Press, Athens, Georgia. 1989 ISBN 0-942375-00. More on Dr Armitage and his other books.

 

 
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