Erodium reichardii

©2000

CRANE'S BILL, HERON'S BILL, STORK'S BILL
syn. E. chamaedryoides
Family: Geraniaceae
Pronounced: e-ROW-dee-um ry-KARD-ee-eye

GROWING GUIDE

Geographic Origin: Majorca, Corsica.
Plant Group: Perennials.
Hardiness: Sunset zones: 7-9, 14-24 (see note for zone 5 and 6 below). USDA zones: 8-9.
Mature size: Height: 2-3 inches (5-8 cm). Width: 6 inches (15 cm).
Flowering period: Late spring to summer.
Flowering attributes: Saucer shaped white flowers with red veins; give it a pink appearance.
Leaf attributes: Heart-shaped, scalloped, small leaves.
Growth habit: Mound-forming.
Light: Full sun.
Soil: Very well-drained, gritty soil.
Feeding: Lime in fall to help neutralize our acid soils.
Propagation Methods: Sow seed as soon as ripe. | Divide in spring. | Basal stem cuttings late spring.

Rainy Side Notes

I believe Sunset may have rated this perennial Sunset zone 7 and above because of the winter moisture we have in Sunset zones: 4, 5 and 6. I had problems keeping this plant thriving in my old garden border. Tucked into the crevices of a rock wall in my new garden, the erodium is thriving. Being nestled in the wall keeps the winter moisture off its crown. By keeping the crown dry, I believe it will continue to thrive during our wet winters as it has for the last six years in my garden. One of those six winters, we broke rainfall records and Erodium reichardii stood up to the test quite well. Now if I can keep Rosemary 'Irene' from crowding it out on the wall, this plant may well live happily for many more years.

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