The most important types at a glance

Cambridge cranesbill (Geranium cantabrigiense)

This compact, evergreen perennial in mild winters has light green leaves that turn reddish in autumn. From May to July, dense inflorescences of numerous flat, mostly purple-pink or white flowers appear above the foliage. The plant becomes about 25 centimeters high and twice as wide. The perennial is particularly suitable as Ground cover between trees, but also in rock gardens, on roadsides and stairs as well as in pots.

Gray cranesbill (Geranium cinereum)

The plant, which is up to 15 centimeters high and about twice as wide, forms loose clumps of small rosettes. Particularly noticeable is the distinctive gray-green colored foliage, from which between June and September short-stalked inflorescences with several white or pale pink flowers appear. The perennial is ideal for rock gardens and the edging of gravel beds, but also for Window boxes(€ 7.99 at Amazon *) and buckets.

Clarke's cranesbill (Geranium clarkei)

This is a spreading, rhizome-forming perennial that spreads almost indefinitely. It grows to about 50 centimeters high and has lobed leaves that are up to 15 centimeters long. From June to August, loose inflorescences appear with four to five centimeters wide, purple-violet or white flowers. The species is very suitable as a ground cover between trees and bushes as well as for borders.

Himalayan cranesbill (Geranium himalayense)

The Himalayan cranesbill, which can reach a height of up to 40 centimeters, is a vigorous ground cover for sunny borders, which is particularly good with roses. The species has exceptionally large flowers for cranesbills, which are usually purple-blue or pink-red in color. Flowering time is between June and July.

Magnificent cranesbill (Geranium magnificum)

The lush purple-blue blooming magnificent cork's bill becomes about 60 centimeters high and just as wide. Please note that this species only flowers once and for a relatively short time, but is then a real eye-catcher due to the very dense inflorescences with its numerous, very large flowers. The perennial goes particularly well with peonies.

Oxford cranesbill (Geranium oxonianum)

This cranesbill is ideal for problematic locations under and between groups of trees and is very shade-friendly. However, you should not plant it in borders because it dominates other crops too much. The long shoots can even overgrow small shrubs. The plant grows to 80 centimeters high and 60 centimeters wide, the mostly pink flowers appear in loose inflorescences between June and August.

Blood-red cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum)

This delicate species, only around 30 centimeters high - some varieties are even significantly slower - also thrives excellently in pots and tubs and is a wonderful companion to roses. Due to the distinctive foliage, which turns red in autumn, the decorative effect is enormous even after the flowering period.

Particularly recommended cranesbill varieties

In the following table you will find a clear listing of some of the most beautiful cranesbill varieties. Due to the large number of different variants, the table is of course not complete.