Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Blood Red Cranesbill, Evergreen Perennial Of The Day

Geranium sanguineum 'John Elsley'
Blood Red Cranesbill, Bloody Cranesbill, Geranium
Type Perennial
Hardy range 3A to 8A
Height 9" to 12" / 23cm to 30cm
Spread 12" to 24" / 30cm to 60cm
Growth rate Average
Form Spreading or horizontal
Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun
Persistence Evergreen

Bloom Color Pink
Bloom Time Spring and Summer

The flowers are showy and suitable for cut flowers.

Environment
This plant tolerates drought.
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy.
The pH preference is a neutral soil.

Leaf Color Green
Fall Color Purple and red

This plant has attractive foliage and fragrant foliage.

Culture Notes
Geraniums are long blooming and will rebloom if the spent flowers are removed. Division can be done in the spring, and cuttings can be taken in the summer. These plants will be evergreen in mild winters and, usually, the leaves turns reddish in the fall. G. sanguineum is one of the more heat and cold tolerant species of geraniums, and it is one of the most trouble-free species for southern gardens. Plants go well with: Thymus, Phlox, and Dianthus sp. 'John Elsley' is quite similar to 'Alan Bloom', but it is somewhat taller.