Geranium robertianum

Geranium robertianum or Herb Robert is the most common Geranium species in mcuh of Europe. This biennial or annual species is widely distributed throughout the northern hemisphere. Well known to gardeners, some of whom struggle to eliminate it, it is meanwhile highly appreciated by others for its decorative qualities, its ability to naturalise, and its multiple benefits. It has no preference regarding soil type and is therefore very widespread. Easily recognisable by its dissected leaves, red stems, and pink flowers, it grows almost everywhere and quickly covers neglected areas with its light foliage. Use it in the garden for its qualities as melliferous ground cover, or for its therapeutic virtues, or indeed - though this divides opinion - for its taste.

Geranium robertianum belongs to the Geraniaceae family. It is found in many corners: wall corners, hedge corners, debris, shaded undergrowth, meadows, roadside edges, vertically on old walls - no one could say it's choosy! It appreciates cool or temperate climates, on soils where nitrogen is present. It reaches a height of 30 cm (12in) with a theoretically unlimited spread. Unlike geraniums cultivated in gardens, it has a one-year or two-year life cycle and dies at the end of the season. It readily self-seeds thanks to its cranesbill-shaped fruits, its other nickname. It forms bushy clumps with light, finely divided foliage, palmately compound leaves with 3 to 5 segments. Its leaflets are divided and triangular. The petiole and stem are villous. The stems are red. The green foliage is more or less light or dark depending on the exposure. It turns red in autumn, in full sun and in dry soil. The plant blooms for a very long time, from spring to autumn, with small flat pink flowers with 5 rounded petals that constantly renew themselves.

Geranium robertianum can be grown in all exposures and all types of soil. It is good ground cover that prevents other weeds from growing (we say "other weeds" as Herb Robert is often considered one itself). It can be used in rock gardens and borders, alongside plants that are not afraid of its conquering tendencies. Plant it in pots, in the crevices of walls, in wild or more civilized gardens, for its decorative, utilitarian, or culinary qualities. It is indeed edible; its leaves, with a pungent odour when crushed, have a coriander taste for some, while others are repulsed by it. Use its leaves and flowers in salads, sparingly, or in herbal tea.

It is reputed to have multiple virtues: antioxidant, antihemorrhagic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, hypoglycemic...Simply put, it is vulnerary, and can be rubbed on wounds or chewed to relieve canker sores. When rubbed on the skin, it is a mosquito repellent.