How to Grow Erodium Plants in your Garden

Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing Alfilaria, Heron’s Bill, Filaree, and Storksbill

Erodium can be either hardy or half hardy perennials.

They are low growing ranging from about 7 to 45 cm (3 to 18 inches) in height. This makes them ideal for use in both rock gardens, and for use in borders.

They bloom in the early months of summer with pink, yellow, or white cup shaped flowers.

Erodium have dissected leaves, this gives them an appearance similar to Geraniums.

Some common names for members of the Erodium genus include Heron's Bill, Alfilaria, Filaree, Storksbill and Pin Clover.

Erodium cicutarium - Common Stork's-bill by anemoneprojectors.

How to Grow Heron's Bill (Erodium)

It is best to grow Heron's bill outside from the off. The seeds should be sown in the autumn at a depth of about 3 mm (1/8th inch).

Erodium plant species prefer to grow in a sunny or partially shaded location of the garden. Ideally use a gritty or sandy soil.

The spacing distance that Erodium plants should be from one another depends on the species: space smaller ones about 15 cm (6 inches) apart and larger ones at about 35 to 45 cm (14 to 18 inches) apart.

Caring for Erodium Plants in the Garden

If you require more Erodium plants, then you can take cuttings in the summer. However Erodium is more likely to require controlling as opposed to propagating.

As they do not like overhead water, it is probably best to grow Erodium under a rock overhang in the rock garden for best results

I hope that you found this guide on how to grow Erodium plants in your garden. You may also enjoy my gardening guides on how to grow Geranium sanguineum, Pelargonium plant, and Geranium plants.