Geranium sanguineum Frivolius Pink - Bloody cranesbill

Geranium ‘MVNG1811’ Frivolius™ Pink is a low, dense perennial groundcover, selected for its large, soft pink flowers and exceptionally long flowering period, from spring to late summer. It forms a cushion of fine texture and tender colour in the foreground of borders, on slopes or in sunny rockeries. This is a very hardy small plant that proves drought-tolerant once established.

This cultivar belongs to the species Geranium sanguineum, from the Geraniaceae family. This species is known by the names bloody cranesbill or bloody geranium. It has been described under several names, now grouped under the same taxon: Geranium grandiflorum, Geranium lancastriense, Geranium prostratum, Geranium sanguineiforme. It is a perennial of temperate climates, spontaneous across much of Europe to the Caucasus and northern Turkey, where it colonises stony slopes, dry meadows and sunny woodland edges.
‘MVNG1811’ is a recent horticultural selection developed in the Netherlands by Marco van Noort in the Frivolius series, which brings together several compact, very floriferous forms of bloody cranesbill with flowers significantly larger than the type species. Like other members of the series, Frivolius Pink is distinguished by very early flowering, a neat, compact habit and excellent drought resistance. This variety was awarded a silver medal in the PLANTARIUM|GROEN-Direkt novelty evaluation organised by the KVBC in May 2025.
The plant forms a rounded, slightly spreading clump, approximately 25 to 30 cm tall and 50 to 60 cm wide after a few years. The stems bear bright green, deciduous foliage. Its small leaves are deeply cut, rounded, divided into narrow lobes, and slightly hairy. Late in the season, this foliage can take on hues of yellow, orange and then red depending on temperature variations. Flowering occurs from April-May until September, peaking in early summer. The solitary flowers on slender stems form a single, 3 to 4 cm diameter cup, with five rounded, luminous, light pink petals, slightly veined with a deeper pink. The paler centre highlights the small cluster of stamens, which is loved by bees and other pollinators.

In the garden, Geranium sanguineum Frivolius™ Pink can be planted anywhere a flowering, discreet yet robust groundcover is desired. It only dislikes excess water in winter and shaded situations. As companions, you can choose other bloody cranesbills from the same series, such as Frivolius Lilac or Frivolius Purple, and other small perennials for dry soils: Aubrieta Florado Rose-Red, which unfurls a carpet of deep pink in spring, and Sedum album ‘Murale’, whose small fleshy leaves turn red in winter. A few clumps of Sedum cyaneum ‘Rosenteppich’ offer denser pink cushions in summer, and the golden yellow Potentilla megalantha will add a sunny sparkle to this display.