Other Names:  Heronsbill, Stork's Bill, Storksbill

Description:

This pretty dwarf variety forms a low, spreading clump of pinnate, deeply cut ferny foliage; masses of cerise-pink flowers with crimson blotches appear in late spring until fall; wonderful for border edging, groundcover for small areas, or containers

Ornamental Features

Dwarf Heron's Bill has masses of beautiful clusters of rose round flowers with pink overtones and a crimson blotch rising above the foliage from late spring to early fall, which are most effective when planted in groupings. Its attractive deeply cut ferny pinnately compound leaves remain green in color throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Dwarf Heron's Bill is an herbaceous perennial with a mounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Dwarf Heron's Bill is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Dwarf Heron's Bill will grow to be only 4 inches tall at maturity extending to 6 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 18 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 15 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is particular about its soil conditions, with a strong preference for rich, alkaline soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America..

Dwarf Heron's Bill is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers and foliage against which the thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.