How to Care for a Madeiran Cranesbill

The Madeiran cranesbill (Geranium madarense) is a biennial flowering plant that stands 3 to 5 feet tall with an equal spread. Its foliage has a tropical, ferny appearance, unlike most other geranium species. It blooms in mauve to bright pink flowers in spring. Madeiran cranesbill is native to Madeira where it at one time grew in the forest understory. Seldom seen in the wild due to habitat destruction, Madeiran cranesbill is easy to care for in the home garden.

Fertilizer
Pruning shears

Instructions

- 1
  Provide the Madeiran cranesbill with sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon. This lighting most closely mimics its natural habitat.
- 2
  Water the Madeiran cranesbill just enough to keep the soil barely moist. The plant is able to survive for months without water, according to specialists with the Botanical Conservatory at the University of California at Davis, but a little water helps keep it looking its best.
- 3
  Fertilize the Madeiran cranesbill with a formula listed for use on acid-loving plants, such as azaleas. Follow the instructions on the label and fertilize only once, in spring.
- 4
  Use pruning shears to cut the cranesbill back to the soil after flowering.

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