No matter which of the numerous cranesbill species it is, they all develop the eponymous “beak” after their white, blue, pink, red or violet flowers are fertilized. However, the flowering time is not uniform, as some species bloom quite early in the year, while others only bloom in late summer.
When does the cranesbill bloom?
The flowering time of cranesbill species varies, some blooming early in the year, others in late summer. Examples include Geranium cantabrigiense (May-July), Geranium cinereum (June-September) and Geranium cultorum 'Rozanne' (May-November), which has a particularly long flowering period.
The flowering times of the individual cranesbill species
In the table below you will find an overview of the most important garden cranesbills with their flowering times.
| Storksbill species | Latin name | Flower color | Growth height | Flowering time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge cranesbill | Geranium cantabrigiense | purple pink or white | up to 25 cm | May to July |
| Gray Cranesbill | Geranium cinereum | pale pink or white | up to 15 cm | June to September |
| Clarke's Cranesbill | Geranium clarkei | purple violet or white | up to 50 cm | June to August |
| Rozanne | Geranium cultorum | violetblue | up to 40 cm | May to November |
| Himalayan Cranesbill | Geranium himalayense | violet blue or rose red | up to 40 cm | June to July |
| Heart-leaved cranesbill | Geranium ibericum | violetblue | up to 50 cm | June to July |
| Rock Cranesbill | Geranium macrorrhizum | pink or white | up to 50 cm | May to July |
| Splendid Cranesbill | Geranium magnificum | violetblue | up to 60 cm | May / June |
| Gnarled Mountain Forest Cranesbill | Geranium nodosum | purplepink | up to 50 cm | June to August |
| Oxford cranesbill | Geranium oxonianum | pink | up to 60 cm | June to August |
| Brown Cranesbill | Geranium phaeum | violet blue to violet brown or white | up to 80 cm | June / July |
| Armenian cranesbill | Geranium psilostemon | magenta red to purplish pink | up to 120 cm | June / July |
| Caucasus Cranesbill | Geranium renardii | pale purple, blue-violet or white | up to 30 cm | June / July |
| Bloody Cranesbill | Geranium sanguineum | magenta red or pale pink | up to 30 cm | May to September |
| Siberian Cranesbill | Geranium wlassovianum | purple pink to purple blue | up to 40 cm | July to September |
Tip
The cranesbill hybrid “Rozanne” probably has the longest flowering period, blooming persistently between May and November in borders, pots, window boxes or hanging baskets.