Geranium sanguineum is a beautiful wild flower, native to the British Isles, with very deeply cut leaves and attractive, bright purplish-crimson flowers, each about 4cm (1½ in) across.

The Cranesbill is often planted in gardens as it flowers for a long time, it must be one of our loveliest wild flowers and good for both border and rockery.
It gets its common name “crane’s bill” from the “beak” over the seed pod, and the name “crowfoot” because the leaves resemble buttercups – which used to be called crowfoots.

Sowing: Sow in Late winter/late spring or late summer/autumn.
Sow seed 2.5cm (1in) apart in a peaty mix compost. If starting seed in a seed-tray, choose one with really deep cells. The seedlings need a lot of root room to get started.
“Just cover” the seeds with sieved compost. Seed will germinate in germinate in less than two weeks
Prick out each seedling as it becomes large enough to handle, transplant into 7.5cm (3in) pots or trays.
After the last expected frosts, gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10 to 15days before planting out into their permanent positions.
Space the plants 22 to 30cm (9 to 12in) apart.

Cultivation:
Geranium sanguineum are best planted in poor, well-drained soil in full sun but will tolerate most soils in full sun and can tolerate partial shade
Deadhead to prevent self-seeding, if preferred. When the clump gets too large, simply lift the plant in spring (March to May) and divide into smaller pieces. A prolific self-seeder, it is best to cut off seed heads before they mature.

Plant Uses:
Cottage/Informal Garden, Flowers Borders and Beds, Wildlife / Butterfly Garden. Beekeeping.

Nomenclature:
The name Geranium comes from the Greek 'geranion', which is a diminutive of 'geranos' meaning crane.
The species name “sanguineum” refers to the red leaves in autumn
It gets its common name 'crane’s bill' from the 'beak' over the seed pod and is also called storksbill in some areas.
The name 'crowfoot' is because the leaves resemble buttercups, which used to be called crowfoots.