Many gardeners in Calgary love adding cranesbills—beautiful, hardy, and versatile perennials—to their landscapes. These “real” geraniums are a wonderful choice, especially because many varieties thrive in our challenging prairie climate. With their charming flowers and adaptable foliage, cranesbills can be a stunning addition to borders, rock gardens, woodland settings, or ground covers.
Why Choose Cranesbills for Calgary?
These plants are well-suited to our zone 3-4 climate and can handle cold winters, dry soils, and tough conditions. They come in a variety of sizes and forms, from compact mounds to sprawling groundcovers, making them easy to incorporate into any garden design.
Recognizing the True Geraniums
In the gardening world, “geraniums” often refers to plants that aren’t true geraniums. The true geraniums belong to the genus Geranium, also called cranesbills because of their distinctive seed heads that resemble a bird’s bill. They have saucer-shaped flowers in pastel shades, bright magentas, or whites, and their leaves are often lobed or divided, with many emitting lovely fragrances.
Popular Types of Cranesbills for Calgary Gardens
Small, Compact Mound Geraniums (Ideal for sunny alpine beds):
- Geranium cinereum (Alpine cranesbill)
- Geranium dalmaticum (Dalmation cranesbill)
- Geranium orientalis
- Geranium pelythowianum
- Geranium renardii
- Geranium x cantabrigiense
- Geranium himalayense (Himalayan cranesbill)
- Geranium macrorrhizum (Bigroot geranium)
Larger Mounds & Groundcovers:
- Geranium phaeum (Dusky cranesbill)
- Geranium psilostemon (Armenian cranesbill)
- Geranium sylvaticum (Wood cranesbill)
- Geranium ‘Ann Folkard’
- Geranium ‘Brookside’
- Geranium endressii
Woodland & Shade Tolerant Cranesbills:
- Geranium ‘Johnson’s Blue’
- Geranium x oxonianum
- Geranium wlassovianum (Siberian cranesbill)
Showy & Large-Flowering Types:
- Geranium x magnificum
- Geranium pratense (Meadow cranesbill)
- Geranium sanguineum (Bloody cranesbill) — bright magenta flowers
Why They Work Well in Calgary Gardens
Many cranesbills are extremely hardy and can survive our cold winters, especially with some mulching or snow cover. They prefer well-drained soil and full sun but can tolerate part shade. Their flowers attract bees and butterflies, and the foliage often provides interest even after flowering.
Tips for Growing Cranesbills in Calgary
- Plant in early spring or fall for best establishment.
- Use well-drained soil—amending clay soils with organic matter helps them thrive.
- Mulch around plants to protect roots during winter and keep soil moist.
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage prolonged blooming.
- Divide clumps every few years to keep plants vigorous and compact.
Final Thoughts
From tiny alpine varieties to large, sprawling groundcovers, cranesbills add charm and resilience to Calgary gardens. They’re a low-maintenance way to bring color, texture, and wildlife into your outdoor space—perfect for prairie gardens that need hardy, beautiful plants.
