Bloody crane's-bill
Geranium sanguineum, family Geraniaceae
A hardy crimson-flowered perennial of grasslands and gardens
Bloody crane's-bill is a perennial herb with bright crimson flowers, native to temperate Europe and western Asia. It grows in grasslands and open woods, is often found on coastal sand dunes, and is also cultivated in gardens for its vivid blooms.
- Native to temperate Europe and western Asia
- Flowers are bright crimson and appear singly
- County flower of Northumberland, UK
- Prefers grasslands and coastal sand dunes
- Blooms from May to October
What does Bloody crane's-bill look like?
Bloody crane's-bill is a low perennial herb, usually 30–50 cm tall, with hairy, branched stems that can grow prostrate or upright. Its leaves are divided into five lobes, each further split into three parts with large teeth. The plant produces single, bright crimson flowers, each about 2.5–4 cm across, from late spring into autumn. The fruit is shaped like a crane’s bill, splitting into five parts when ripe.
Where does Bloody crane's-bill come from?
This species is native to much of temperate and subarctic Europe and western Asia, thriving in grasslands and coastal sand dunes, as well as open woodlands on calcareous soils. Its name refers to the blood-red color of the root and the beak-like fruit capsule. It has spread beyond its native range, sometimes escaping from gardens into the wild.
When and how Bloody crane's-bill blooms
Bloody crane's-bill flowers from May to October, with buds just below the soil surface surviving winter. It prefers neutral, low-nutrient soils and can grow from sea level up to 1,200 metres. The plant is grown in gardens for its hardiness and vivid flowers, and several cultivars are available.
How Bloody crane's-bill is used
Gardeners value this plant for its long flowering season and ability to thrive in poor soils. It is also recognized as the county flower of Northumberland. In the wild, it supports pollinators such as hoverflies, bees, butterflies, and beetles.
Kinds of Bloody crane's-bill
There are several garden cultivars of bloody crane's-bill, some of which have received awards for their performance in gardens. These cultivars may vary slightly in flower size or growth habit, but all share the characteristic crimson blooms.
What Bloody crane's-bill means
Bloody crane's-bill is the county flower of Northumberland in England. Its name and appearance have inspired botanical interest since at least the 17th century. The plant’s fruit, resembling a crane’s bill, gives the genus its name.
Where Bloody crane's-bill is used and seen
Questions people ask about Bloody crane's-bill
Where does bloody crane's-bill come from?
It is native to most of temperate and subarctic Europe and western Asia, and is also found in Switzerland. It often grows in grasslands, coastal sand dunes, and open woodlands.
What does bloody crane's-bill look like?
It is a perennial herb with hairy, branched stems, divided leaves, and single bright crimson flowers about 2.5–4 cm wide. The fruit is shaped like a crane’s bill.
When does it flower?
Bloody crane's-bill flowers from May to October, covering spring, summer, and autumn.
How is it used by people?
It is grown in gardens for its vivid flowers and hardiness, and is the county flower of Northumberland. In the wild, it is important for pollinators.
What does it symbolise?
It is a regional emblem as the county flower of Northumberland. The name refers to its blood-red root and flower color.
Good reading and sources
- Geranium sanguineum 'Little Bead'Royal Horticultural Society, Article
- USDA Plants DatabaseUS Department of Agriculture, Article
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database
- Geranium sanguineum on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Geranium sanguineum", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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