New Hampshire Purple Bloody Cranesbill

New Hampshire Purple Bloody Cranesbill Geranium (Geranium sanguineum 'New Hampshire Purple')

New Hampshire Purple Bloody Cranesbill Geranium is a low, spreading perennial that turns open soil into a clean, finished carpet with weeks of vivid color. The deep magenta-purple blooms read strongly from a distance, while the finely cut foliage keeps the planting looking detailed up close. It is a reliable choice for borders and edges because it fills in neatly, helps suppress weeds, and stays attractive through the season. Once established, it handles dry spells well, making it a practical, high-return groundcover for busy gardens.

Distinctive Features

This hardy cranesbill forms compact, mounding clumps that spread outward into a dense mat of deeply lobed green leaves. In late spring, it produces a heavy flush of deep magenta to purple-magenta flowers, with additional sporadic bloom often continuing through summer. The foliage is attractive for a long season and commonly develops red to crimson tones in fall, adding a second wave of interest after flowering slows. Its tidy, low habit makes it especially useful where you want color and coverage without constant shaping.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun to part shade, with some afternoon shade helpful in hotter regions.
• Soil: Well-drained soil is best, and it adapts to average garden soils as long as drainage is reasonable.
• Water: Medium moisture during establishment, then low to medium water, watering during extended drought for best bloom and foliage.
• USDA Zones: USDA Zones 4 to 8.
• Drainage: Avoid persistently wet sites to keep crowns healthy and maintain vigor.
• Heat Tolerance: Performs well in summer heat when soil is well-drained and moisture is consistent during dry periods.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Plant a broad drift at the front of a bed so the deep purple-magenta bloom reads as a bold ribbon of color at ground level.
• Groundcover: Use to knit open soil into a dense mat that helps suppress weeds and reduces maintenance.
• Edging: Line paths and bed fronts for a low, tidy border that softens hard edges.
• Rock Gardens: Tuck into sunny, well-drained pockets where the compact habit and flowers show clearly.
• Slope Planting: Use on banks to cover soil and reduce weedy gaps with a spreading, low habit.

Low Maintenance Care

• Shearing: Trim lightly after the main bloom flush to refresh foliage and encourage additional flowering.
• Watering: Water during prolonged drought, especially in full sun, to keep foliage greener and bloom stronger.
• Mulching: Mulch lightly to conserve moisture and reduce weeds, keeping mulch off the crowns for airflow.
• Division: Divide every few years in spring or fall if you want to rejuvenate vigor or manage spread.
• Cleanup: Remove tired leaves in late winter or early spring so fresh growth emerges cleanly.

Why Choose New Hampshire Purple Bloody Cranesbill Geranium?

• Bold Color: Deep magenta-purple flowers deliver a high-impact display from late spring into summer.
• Neat Coverage: Dense, low growth fills in quickly and keeps borders looking finished.
• Fall Interest: Foliage often turns red to crimson as temperatures cool.
• Mature Size: Typically grows about 8 to 12 inches tall and spreads about 18 to 24 inches wide.
• Deer: Often considered deer resistant, though browsing pressure can vary by location.

If you want a durable, low groundcover that blooms hard and keeps working after the flowers fade, New Hampshire Purple Bloody Cranesbill Geranium is a smart pick. Plant it in well-drained soil, keep moisture steady while it establishes, and shear once after the first flush for a fresh look. Over time it forms a cohesive carpet that adds color, texture, and a more finished feel across the planting.