Cranesbill: Increase, Effect & Use

The cranesbill is widespread as a bee-friendly flowering perennial and wild plant. With us you can find out everything about the growth, reproduction and use of cranesbills in the garden.

The cranesbill (Geranium) was considered an important medicinal plant in the Middle Ages and is now found in almost every garden. We introduce the diverse genus of the cranesbills and give tips on reproduction and use.

Cranesbill: origin and characteristics

Cranesbills or geraniums are the species-richest genus of the cranesbill family (Geraniaceae). They are with their namesakes, the summer balcony flowers geraniums (Pelargonium), closely related. Cranesbills are found on almost every continent and grow as a perennial, rarely biennial or usually perennial. The growth forms of the around 400

Cranesbill species differ greatly, because they can grow creeping, upright, bushy compact or climbing. At home and on rubble sites, on the shady edges of paths and forests as well as in fields, Ruprecht's cabbage is the most common (Geranium robertianum), Dwarf cranesbill (Geranium pusillum), Slit cranesbill (Geranium dissectum) and the soft cranesbill (Geranium molle).

In general, cranesbills reach a height of between 15 and 70 cm. In doing so, they are usually much wider than they are high. The plants are often hairy on the stem, leaf and calyx and are soft to the touch. The leaves of the cranesbill are usually five-part and deeply pinnately notched. However, some species also have rounded leaves with a lobed edge. Some perennial cranesbills are evergreen, others show a splendid color of the foliage in autumn in orange, yellow or red tones.

The cranesbill flower is round, five-fold and has ten stamens, some of which protrude far like the rock cranesbill (Geranium macrorrhizum). The flowers sit individually, often in pairs, at the end of the flower stalk, and more rarely as a cluster with several buds. The flowering time of the cranesbills begins, depending on the species and variety, in April and ends in October. Many bloom for months, others only briefly, but can develop a second bloom after pruning early. Cranesbills are bee-friendly plants, as they bridge the nutrient-poor midsummer with their flowers and provide nectar and pollen. The seeds form in long, beak-shaped split fruits, which burst explosively when ripe and hurl the seeds meters away from you. The elongated fruit of the cranesbill is therefore also known as the catapult fruit.

Which cranesbill blooms the longest? Cranesbills with a long flowering period are, in addition to our native game species, above all the ash gray cranesbill (Geranium cinereum) and the water-loving swamp cranesbill (Geranium palustre).

Weeds or useful weeds?

The question of whether cranesbill is a weed or a useful weed can be debated for a long time. In agriculture, some species are considered annoying weeds that spread quickly and widely in fields and grassland meadows. At the same time, some cranesbills act as pointer plants and provide information about the nature of the soil or existing nutrient stocks. The flower of the cranesbill feeds numerous insects, including rare wild bees. Some of our native species can be collected and used as medicinal plants.

Cranesbill as a weed

Cranesbill in the lawn can become an unpopular weed. Because it is often too low to be mowed and at the same time multiplies via the seeds that are thrown over a wide area. Pruning the plants before the seeds are ready is the best way to control them.

tip: The dwarf cranesbill is an indicator plant for increased nitrogen deposits in the soil. By reducing this accordingly in the fertilization, the strong cranesbill growth can be slowed down and it disappears in the long run.

Cranesbill against ground elder

Runners-forming cranesbills such as the magnificent cranesbill (Geranium x magnificum) can be used to suppress Giersch (Aegopodium podagria) are planted. First, free the affected area of ​​ground grass and also work the soil, for example with a tiller. The crushed root pieces are then carefully collected with a leaf rake. Then it goes to that Plants of cranesbill. If the conditions are optimal, the cranesbill can spread above and below ground over time and thus displace the oathlon.

Propagate cranesbills

Depending on the species, cranesbills can either be propagated by sowing or cuttings. Most like to sow themselves in the garden. For a controlled sowing or propagation of varieties, cranesbill seeds can be almost ripe, brown in autumn Collect the discolored beak fruit and allow to dry in a bag until the fissure fruits burst and the rounded seeds release. Remove this and let it dry for a few more days at room temperature. Many cranesbill species are there Cold germ. This means that the seeds need a cold stimulus in order to germinate. Therefore, sow cranesbill seeds either directly in the field in autumn or put the seeds embedded in moist sand in the refrigerator for four to six weeks. Then the seeds are sown about a centimeter deep into the ground and everything is kept well moist at temperatures of 15-20 ° C. The first tender seedlings appear after about two weeks. They can be pricked out and put outside after four to six weeks.

Cuttings from cranesbill should ideally be cut in summer before flowering. With the help of a sharp knife, a 10 cm long, not yet lignified branch of the shoot is cut off from the mother plant and then defoliated down to the young leaves of the tip of the shoot. The shoot is stuck deep into the growing substrate and kept well moist for the next few weeks at around 20 ° C. A plastic hood increases the relative humidity and supports growth.

A nutrient-poor potting soil like ours is suitable for both sowing and cranesbill cuttings Plantura organic herb & seed compost. The loose, airy structure promotes root formation and reduces the risk of waterlogging.

Is cranesbill poisonous or edible?

Cranesbills are generally non-toxic to humans and pets. The stinking cranesbill is edible and can be added to herb salads or flower salts without hesitation. The meadow cranesbill is an exception (Geranium pratense), which is poisonous for hamsters, but which they do not like to eat. However, cranesbills contain various essential oils that can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive skin. Therefore, wear gloves for safety when planting, pruning and other maintenance measures.

Medicinal effects and uses

In the Middle Ages, cranesbill played an important role in folk medicine in the treatment of wounds and bleeding. The medicinal properties of cranesbill can still be used in phytotherapy today. Especially the spotted cranesbill (Geranium maculatum), Blood cranesbill and Ruprecht's herb are said to promote hemostasis and wound healing when used externally and to combat inflammation of the oral mucosa. Internally, stomach ulcers, diarrhea and kidney infections as well as kidney stones can be caused by ingestion positively influenced by cranesbill tea made from dried leaves or homeopathic preparations will.

Another shade-tolerant flowering plant is this Hepatica (Hepatica). We introduce the purple blooming forest dweller and give tips on planting, care and propagation.