Bloody cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum 'Alan Bloom')
Geranium sanguineum 'Alan Bloom' offers prolific pink blooms from May to August. This low-maintenance Bloody cranesbill is heat, cold, and clay tolerant.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Geranium sanguineum ‘Alan Bloom’, commonly recognized as Bloody cranesbill, is a highly valued herbaceous perennial celebrated for its vibrant, continuous bloom display. This cultivar stands out for covering itself in prolific saucer-shaped pink flowers from late spring well into summer, rewarding gardeners with extended color. Unlike some related species, Geranium sanguineum ‘Alan Bloom’ demonstrates notable resilience, tolerating both heat and cold better than many other geraniums. It forms a neat, spreading mound, making the Bloody cranesbill an excellent, low-effort solution for brightening up borders and groundcover applications.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Geraniaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.75-1 ft
- Spread: 1-2 ft
- Bloom Time: May to August
- Bloom Description: Pink
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Plant Geranium sanguineum ‘Alan Bloom’ in average, medium-moisture, well-drained soil. While this plant is relatively adaptable, it thrives best when provided humusy soil and good drainage, ensuring the roots do not remain waterlogged. Full sun promotes the most vigorous flowering, though it performs adequately in partial shade situations.
Water requirements are medium; it tolerates some drought once established, but consistent moisture yields the best growth habit. Fertilizer is generally unnecessary for healthy plants. Deadheading the spent flowers can extend the bloom period, although this task can be tedious in large masses. If you skip deadheading, expect some self-seeding in optimal conditions.
To keep the mound tidy, foliage can be lightly sheared back after the main flush of blooms subsides to encourage revitalization. This robust groundcover is prized for its improved tolerance to both hot summers and cold winters compared to other geranium species. Propagation of this excellent variety, the Bloody cranesbill, is easily achieved through division, tip cuttings, or seed.
Landscape Uses
Geranium sanguineum ‘Alan Bloom’ excels as an edging plant along borders where its spreading habit can gently transition between pathways and taller plantings. Its low stature makes it ideal for rock gardens, where it tumbles appealingly over stones, or for the front of perennial borders needing continuous mid-season color. When massed, this cultivar functions beautifully as a weed-suppressing groundcover suitable for small to medium areas. The spreading mounds of foliage, which often turn attractive red shades in autumn, blend well with spring bulbs and later flowering coneflowers or ornamental grasses.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
The cultivar ‘Alan Bloom’ specifically offers prolific blooms of 1 1/4” pink, saucer-shaped flowers peaking between May and June, often followed by continued summer flowering. Plants form a spreading mound, typically 5-8” tall by 18-24” wide, with foliage that takes on attractive red tones in the fall. This celebrated geranium was introduced by Blooms of Bressingham Nursery in England.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Deer
- Clay Soil
Potential Problems
Serious insect or disease issues are rare for Geranium sanguineum ‘Alan Bloom’. Gardeners should remain watchful for susceptibility to common fungal issues like leaf spots and rusts, especially in humid or overly damp conditions. Ensuring good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering can help mitigate these issues. If problems arise, cultural adjustments are usually the first line of defense for the tough Bloody cranesbill.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Bloody cranesbill suitable for?
Geranium sanguineum ‘Alan Bloom’ is highly adaptable, thriving across USDA Zones 3 through 8.
How large does Geranium sanguineum ‘Alan Bloom’ grow?
This variety typically reaches a height between 0.75 and 1 foot, spreading horizontally to cover an area of 1 to 2 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Geranium sanguineum ‘Alan Bloom’ need?
For the best performance and heaviest bloom set, this plant prefers full sun, although it will tolerate partial shade conditions.
When does Bloody cranesbill bloom?
The primary blooming period for Geranium sanguineum ‘Alan Bloom’ is from May through August, featuring masses of pink flowers.
Conclusion
The combination of toughness, reliable low maintenance, and extended pink bloom makes Geranium sanguineum ‘Alan Bloom’ an indispensable element for diverse garden designs. This specific strain of Bloody cranesbill provides season-long texture and color without demanding constant attention. Before planting, ensure your garden site offers medium moisture and well-drained soil to take full advantage of this superior perennial.
Propagation Tips
Since Geranium sanguineum ‘Alan Bloom’ is an open-pollinated seedling, propagation by seed is a viable, albeit variable, option to increase your stock. For guaranteed results matching the parent plant, division is recommended, typically done in early spring or fall when dividing established clumps of Bloody cranesbill. Tip cuttings can also be taken during the growing season and rooted to create new plants, ensuring the excellent traits of the ‘Alan Bloom’ cultivar are passed on directly.
Design Ideas
Utilize the dense, spreading habit of Geranium sanguineum ‘Alan Bloom’ to soften the hard edges of flagstone paths or transition between lawn areas and formal beds. Pair this vibrant pink performer with plants that appreciate similar sun and moisture levels, such as silver foliage Lamb’s Ears (Stachys byzantina) for contrast, or taller upright plants like Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) to add vertical structure behind it. Considering its resistance to deer and rabbits, this geranium is an excellent choice for informal plantings near seating areas where pest damage would be most noticeable.
