Geranium sanguineum Compactum

The Geranium sanguineum Compactum, also known as 'Compactum' Bloodred Cranesbill or Crane's Beak, distinguishes itself from the type by its low cushion-like growth and particularly compact habit, with finely divided foliage that turns red in autumn. It blooms in pale pink cup-shaped flowers veined with deeper pink, in successive waves during the summer and into autumn. Over time, it forms a good ground cover, thickening year after year, and it tolerates sun, shade, and drought, making it well-suited for Mediterranean gardens.

The Geranium sanguineum 'Compactum' belongs to the Geraniaceae family. It originates from Europe and Turkey. Its growth is quite slow, forming a tuft that reaches 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8in) in height, sometimes more, and slowly spreading through its rhizomes to form a carpet-like mat that can reach 30 cm (12in) in diameter or more. Its beautiful pale pink flowers bloom from May to July, and again in autumn. The fruits are elongated and have a long beak, resembling a crane's beak (hence its name). The foliage is semi-evergreen, turning varying shades of red in autumn and winter. The leaves are deeply divided, villous, and medium green, measuring 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4in) in length.

In nature, the sanguineum species is frequently found in rocky soils, but in the garden, it adapts to all types of soils and exposures. It is valuable in the edge of woodland, where it is not hindered by competition from shrub roots. It is also welcome in sunny rockeries, on wild slopes, or in dry shade under trees, alongside Epimediums, periwinkles, or dead nettles. It also thrives in the gaps between walls. This geranium self-seeds easily (not always faithfully) among other ground-covering perennials such as thyme, Caucasian rockcress, and woolly wormwood.