Description

Cut-leaved crane’s-bill is a short, sprawling annual generally growing to about 35cm but occasionally getting to 50cm or more. It has purplish pink flowers about 12 to 18mm which bloom from early May to late August. It is one of several common annual geraniums with petals less than 10mm long. It can be confused with long-stalked crane’s-bill which also has deeply divided leaves but, as its name suggests, longer flower stalks and the petals are entire. In cut-leaved crane’s-bill the petals are slightly notched.

Habitat Information

Cut-leaved crane’s-bill is an archaeophyte (a species introduced to Britain in “ancient” times) found on a variety of disturbed ground such as rough grasslands, hedge banks, waysides and waste ground. It can persist in meadows particularly those on poorer soils.

In common with many plants found on disturbed soils the seed of this species can remain viable in the ground for five or even ten years.

Growing Information

Best sow in the spring but should be easy at any time of the year.