New Hampshire Purple Cranesbill
New Hampshire Purple Cranesbill
A Tough, Long-Blooming Groundcover Built for Minnesota Sun
New Hampshire Purple Cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum 'New Hampshire Purple') is one of the hardiest, most carefree perennials you can plant in the Twin Cities. It forms a low, spreading mound of finely cut green foliage smothered in vivid magenta-purple flowers from early summer on, then rewards you with red-tinged fall color. Drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and reliably hardy to zone 3, it's the kind of plant-it-and-forget-it groundcover that thrives whether you garden in Bloomington, Woodbury, or Maple Grove.
New Hampshire Purple Cranesbill Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Geranium sanguineum 'New Hampshire Purple' |
| Mature Size | 8–12 in. tall, 18–24 in. wide |
| Hardiness Zone | 3–8 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy) |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Bloom Time | Early to midsummer, with scattered rebloom |
| Flower Color | Magenta-purple |
| Soil | Adaptable — tolerates Minnesota clay-loam and average drainage |
| Winter Hardiness | Reliable to -30°F once established |
| Deer Resistance | Rarely browsed by deer or rabbits |
Landscape Uses
Groundcover and edging: Its low, spreading habit knits together to suppress weeds along walks, borders, and slopes. Space 18 inches apart for full coverage in two seasons.
Pollinator and deer-resistant gardens: Bees and butterflies work the magenta flowers all summer, while deer and rabbits pass it by — ideal for western-suburb gardens with heavy browse pressure. Pair with catmint, salvia, and coreopsis.
Best Time to Plant in Minnesota
Plant in spring (late April–May) or early fall (late August–mid September) for the easiest establishment. This cranesbill is tough enough to handle summer planting too, as long as you water it through the first few weeks.
How to Plant New Hampshire Purple Cranesbill
Dig a hole twice as wide as the pot at the same depth. Loosen the sides in clay soil and mix in some compost. Set the crown at soil level, backfill, water well, and mulch 2 inches deep, keeping mulch off the crown. Space 18 inches apart for groundcover coverage.
Watering New Hampshire Purple Cranesbill
First year: Water every 2–3 days for the first weeks, then weekly through the season. Stop 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes.
After year one: Highly drought-tolerant — water only during extended dry spells. Natural rainfall handles most of its needs.
Q: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Easily — it's hardy to zone 3, well below Twin Cities winter lows, and needs no winter protection.
Q: Is it really deer-resistant?
Yes. Hardy geraniums are among the most reliably deer- and rabbit-resistant perennials available.
Q: How fast does it spread?
Moderately — it forms a tidy spreading mound without becoming invasive, filling in over two seasons.
Q: Does it tolerate clay soil?
Yes. It adapts to typical Twin Cities clay-loam as long as the spot doesn't stay waterlogged.
You May Also Like
Biokovo Cranesbill (Geranium cantabrigiense): A white-blushed groundcover geranium for shadier spots.
Catmint (Nepeta): A blue-flowered, deer-resistant partner with the same easy nature.
Blanket Flower (Gaillardia): Adds hot summer color alongside the cool magenta blooms.
How Many New Hampshire Purple Cranesbill Do I Need?
This cranesbill spreads to 18–24 inches as a low groundcover, so space plants about 18 inches apart for full coverage in two seasons:
| Bed run | Plants needed (18 in. spacing) |
|---|---|
| 5 ft | 4 |
| 10 ft | 7 |
| 15 ft | 10 |
| 20 ft | 14 |
On slopes and along walks, plant in drifts of 5–7 about 18 inches apart so the mounds knit together and suppress weeds.
New Hampshire Purple Cranesbill Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Finely cut green foliage forms a low, spreading mound and fills in quickly.
- Summer: Vivid magenta-purple flowers smother the mound from early summer, with scattered rebloom after.
- Fall: Foliage takes on red tints for a second season of color.
- Winter: Dies back to the ground; hardy to -30°F, it returns reliably with no winter protection.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Drought-Tolerant
Plant It With
- Biokovo Cranesbill — a white-blushed groundcover geranium for shadier stretches.
- Max Frei Cranesbill — a tighter magenta cranesbill with brilliant red fall color.
- Johnson's Blue Cranesbill — cool blue flowers to balance the hot magenta.
- Mesa Bright Bicolor Blanket Flower — hot summer color alongside the cool blooms.
Is New Hampshire Purple Cranesbill Right for Your Yard?
This is a plant-it-and-forget-it groundcover for full sun to part shade in average clay-loam — drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and ideal for slopes, edges, and high-browse suburban beds. It is not a fit for waterlogged spots: soil that stays soggy will rot the crown.