Description

Bloody Crane’s-bill is one of our more attractive native wild flowers. If growing conditions are right the plant forms lose, shrubby dome about 40cm high made up of branched stems carrying deeply divided, palmate leaves on long stalks. Its most notable feature is its purple veined, deep magenta flowers, 2.5 to 3.5cm across, consist of five un-notched petals. The flowers are succeeded by the seed capsules which are the typical crane’s bill shape and turn bright red as they ripen.

Habitat Information

As a native perennial Bloody crane’s-bill is found mainly in coastal areas on cliffs and sand dunes and in scattered locations in land on free draining, lime rich soils in grasslands, open woodlands, scrub and on limestone pavement. As it is such an attractive plant it is widely grown in gardens and as a garden escape it can also be found on road verges, tips and waste ground.

Growing Information

Best sown from early autumn to late winter. Speed of germination can be increased following a light scarification.