The cranesbill is an extremely versatile perennial. There is a suitable geranium type and variety for almost every location, from full sun in the border to full shade under trees and other trees. But be careful: Do not confuse the cranesbill (known in technical language as “geranium”) with the so-called geraniums – these are actually sun-loving pelargoniums.
Which cranesbill is suitable for shady locations?
The knotty mountain forest cranesbill (Geranium nodosum) and the brown cranesbill (Geranium phaeum) are particularly suitable for shady locations in the garden, as they are very shade-tolerant and still bloom and grow happily.
Profuse blooms even in full shade
Most cranesbills thrive in partially shaded locations - full sun is only required for a few species. Geranium endressii, the Pyrenean cranesbill, and the rock cranesbill (Geranium macrorrhizum), also known as the Balkan cranesbill, are particularly suitable for this purpose, both of which are very suitable as ground cover due to their vigorous growth.
Beautiful cranesbill species for the shade
But even for very shady locations, there are a whole range of storksbills that are very shade-tolerant and still bloom and grow happily. The Knotted Mountain Forest Cranesbill is particularly robust and adaptable and basically feels very comfortable almost everywhere. The very shade-tolerant species is ideal for problematic locations, such as under dense trees. It sows itself and forms a carpet of leaves even under gloomy conifers. The brown cranesbill is also suitable for planting under groups of trees due to its good shade tolerance.
| German name | Latin name | Location | Floor | Bloom | Flowering time | Popular varieties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Cranesbill | Geranium macrorrhizum | sunny to shady | loamy-humic, moderately moist | pink, white | May to July | “Czakor”, magenta |
| “Spessart”, white | ||||||
| “Gingwersen’s Variety”, light pink | ||||||
| Gnarled Mountain Forest Cranesbill | Geranium nodosum | sunny to shady | moderately nutrient-rich, well-drained | purplepink | June to August | “Svelte Lilac”, purple-pink |
| “Whiteleaf”, magenta | ||||||
| Oxford cranesbill | Geranium oxonianum | sunny to shady | moderately nutritious, moist | pink | June to August | “Claridge Druce”, purple-pink |
| “Hollywood”, light pink | ||||||
| “Roselight”, magenta pink | ||||||
| “Trevor’s White”, white | ||||||
| “Wargrave Pink”, salmon pink | ||||||
| Brown Cranesbill | Geranium phaeum | sunny to shady | loamy-humic, permeable | mostly dark, white | June to July | “Album”, white |
| “Samobor”, dark purple |
Tip
When planting, make sure that vigorous species such as the rock cranesbill quickly crowd out or overgrow other plants. Plan as much space as possible for such cranesbills.
