Please spare a thought for this “weed”.
Wikipedia states the following: "Geranium robertianum, (syn. Robertiella robertiana) commonly known as Herb Robert, Red Robin, Death come quickly, or (in North America) Robert Geranium, is a common species of cranesbill in Europe, Asia, North America, and North Africa.
Geranium robertianum can grow at altitudes of up to 1,500 metres (4,921 ft). It grows as an annual or biennial plant, producing small, pink, five-petalled flowers (about 1 cm in diameter) from April until the autumn. The leaves are fern-like, and the stems often reddish; the leaves too turn red at the end of the flowering season. The plant has little root structure.
In Great Britain is commonly found in hedgerows. It has been introduced into other temperate parts of the world, probably through its use as a ornamental plant, such as in the San Francisco Bay Area in California. In the state of Washington, it is known as Stinky Bob and classified as a noxious weed.(WSNWCB 2005, p. 8)(WSNWCB 2007)
In traditional herbalism, Herb Robert was used as a remedy for toothache and nosebleeds. Freshly picked leaves have an odor resembling burning tires when crushed, and if they are rubbed on the body the smell is said to repel mosquitoes. The active ingredients are tannins, bitters, and essential oils."
It’s one of my favourite “weeds” (I feel another journal coming on, as I have a lot of beloved weeds!), as it’s beautiful and great for wildlife. I’m not a great Geraniaceae fan (dare I say… boring?) but I love this one. It’s better than any cultivated pretty-pretty garden centre things. He’s just Herb Robert and I love him.
This entry is about
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Day 262
Geranium robertianum
Blooming
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Previous Journals
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Lamprocapnos spectabilis/Bleeding Heart
Lamprocapnos spectabilis (99p) Blooming and Greenhouse garden
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Horniman garden
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Horniman garden
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Comments
orientallily wrote:
Way too pretty for a weed. Just look at that lacy foliage!
Posted on 07 Apr 12 (about 1 year ago)
Tralamander wrote:
Oh too right OL! Do you have this in your neck of the woods? :)
Posted on 07 Apr 12 (about 1 year ago)
cristina wrote:
I, too, love ‘him’!
Posted on 07 Apr 12 (about 1 year ago)
anelson wrote:
Around here this little guy is crowding out our native forest spring wildflowers. Besides, it reseeds a ridiculous amount, and stinks when pulled. But I agree its attractive.
Posted on 07 Apr 12 (about 1 year ago)
SneIrish wrote:
Yeah! I had this on my wish list! Nice!
Posted on 07 Apr 12 (about 1 year ago)
Bernieh wrote:
There are some weeds that definitely deserve more respect! This is one of them.
Posted on 07 Apr 12 (about 1 year ago)
Tralamander wrote:
Brilliant journal entry, Cristina, glad you’re already converted.
Anelson, how fascinating, I’m sorry to hear you have such a problem (so it really_is_ a noxious weed) with it.
SneIrish, I hope you get some… but not too much!
Thanks, Bernieh, does this grow where you are?
Posted on 08 Apr 12 (about 1 year ago)
Bernieh wrote:
No, Tralamander, unfortunately Geraniums won’t grow here in the tropics. I have tried growing a couple in pots out in my shadehouse garden, but they just couldn’t make it through successive heavy ‘wet’ seasons. Too hot, too humid and too wet!
Posted on 09 Apr 12 (about 1 year ago)
Tralamander wrote:
That’s a shame, but I guess you have some pelargoniums down there though? :)
Posted on 09 Apr 12 (about 1 year ago)
Bernieh wrote:
Definitely can grow Pelargoniums here. They’re something I grow every year.
Posted on 10 Apr 12 (about 1 year ago)
Tralamander wrote:
We manage but they don’t like the winters and need protection. Look forward to seeing what types you’re growing. :)
Posted on 10 Apr 12 (about 1 year ago)
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