The alpine stork’s bill flower, also known by its scientific name Erodium reichardii, is a charming wildflower that thrives in mountainous regions. With its delicate pink or white petals and vibrant yellow centers, this daisy-like bloom will add beauty to any garden. If you’re looking to purchase alpine stork’s bill flowers, you have quite a few options to obtain these lovely plants.
Check Local Nurseries and Garden Centers
One of the best places to find alpine stork’s bill flowers is at your local nurseries and garden centers These small businesses often carry a wide selection of native plants suitable for your region, including wildflowers like the alpine stork’s bill. When you shop local, you’ll get helpful advice from knowledgeable staff on care requirements so your new plants will thrive Be sure to ask questions about sunlight, watering frequency, fertilization, and any other care tips for alpine stork’s bill flowers. Buying from local nurseries supports small businesses in your community too.
Order Online for Convenience
The convenience of online plant retailers makes it easy to shop for alpine stork’s bill flowers from home. Websites like Etsy, Amazon, and specialty nurseries carry numerous wildflower species, so you’re sure to find alpine stork’s bill plants available with just a few clicks. Pay close attention to customer reviews, seller reputation, shipping methods, and packaging when ordering online. This helps ensure you receive healthy, high-quality plants that arrive undamaged.
Visit Botanical Gardens and Arboretums
Botanical gardens and arboretums allow you to see a huge variety of plant species up close including alpine stork’s bill flowers. Many have gift shops selling native plants seeds, and bulbs so you can take a piece of the gardens home with you. Visiting these public gardens also provides inspiration for your own garden design. Some host plant sales or events where you can purchase hard-to-find plants like the alpine stork’s bill flower directly from expert staff.
Join a Local Native Plant Society
Connecting with native plant societies in your area opens up more sources for obtaining alpine stork’s bill flowers. These organizations frequently host plant swaps, sales, and educational events where members share knowledge and trade native plants like the alpine stork’s bill. You’ll meet local growers and enthusiasts who may sell seeds or plants. Native plant societies also provide valuable information on sustainable gardening practices that protect biodiversity.
Harvesting Alpine Stork’s Bill Seeds
If you already have alpine stork’s bill plants, collecting and sowing their tiny seeds is a rewarding way to get more of these wildflowers. Wait until the seed heads dry out and begin dispersing seeds. Then gently shake the seed heads into a paper bag or envelope to catch the seeds. Store in a cool, dry place over winter. In spring, sprinkle the seeds over prepared soil enriched with compost. Maintain even moisture until germination. This propagation method allows you to easily multiply your alpine stork’s bill flower population.
Ordering Alpine Stork’s Bill Plants Online
When purchasing alpine stork’s bill plants online, search for retailers who ship bare root plants during the ideal planting season for your region. Bare root plants are more economical to ship and get established quickly when planted properly. Look for online stores with strong customer feedback, package tracking, and guarantees. Provide the correct shipping address to avoid delays. Plant the bare roots immediately upon arrival for the best results.
Visiting Specialty Alpine Plant Nurseries
Specialty nurseries dedicated to alpine plants like the stork’s bill flower are fantastic places to get expert advice and prime plant specimens. Staff at these niche nurseries possess extensive knowledge on properly cultivating challenging alpine plants. They often grow their own stock selected from vigorous, healthy varieties that are naturally suited for alpine conditions. Expect to pay more for these specialty nursery plants, but it’s worth it for vigorous, unusual alpine varieties you won’t find elsewhere.
Considering Your USDA Hardiness Zone
When selecting alpine stork’s bill plants, pay close attention to the USDA Hardiness Zone designation to ensure the plants are suitable for your area’s climate. Alpine stork’s bill flowers typically thrive in Zones 7-9, but some cold-hardy varieties can survive colder zones. Choosing plants rated for your exact zone maximizes their winter survival rate. Nurseries and plant sellers should provide the USDA Zones best for the plants they offer.
Joining Alpine Plant Clubs and Societies
Clubs and societies devoted to alpine plants are excellent resources for locating stork’s bill flowers. Reach out to members to ask about purchasing plants or seeds. Some groups maintain lists of nurseries and sellers specializing in alpine plants. Members often trade among themselves, so you may be able to get divisions or cuttings taken from their own stork’s bill plants. These specialty groups build community around your mutual love of challenging but rewarding alpine plants.
Being Patient for Plants to Become Available
Alpine stork’s bill plants may sell out quickly when they come into stock. Sign up for restock notifications from nurseries and online stores to get the jump on purchasing these popular alpine flowers. Get on wait lists if nurseries allow it. Follow specialty plant retailers on social media for restock announcements. With patience and persistence, you should eventually score these charming alpine blooms for your own garden.
The delicate beauty of alpine stork’s bill flowers makes them a coveted addition to rock gardens, alpine scree beds, crevice plantings, and more. With so many options for buying plants, seeds, or cuttings, a bit of searching should yield success in procuring these special alpine wildflowers. Nurture your new stork’s bill flowers properly, and in return they will flourish, multiplying each year to give you more of their magical blossoms.
Erodium reichardii ‘Flore Pleno’
3″h x 8″w. This standout variety often has doubled blooms, and tends to have more and more as the plant becomes more established. It blooms from April to August. Hardy to Zone 7.
Grows 8″h x 18″w. This gorgeous species has creamy yellow flowers that bloom from April to October. The leaves are a dusty silver green, and have a more delicate, deeply cut shape than the reichardii varieties listed above. Hardy to Zone 7.
Erodium reichardii ‘Bishop’s Form’
Grows 3″h x 6″w. Bishop’s Form has deep green leaves that trail and hang as they spread. It has abundant pink blooms with defined veins, and flowers through June and July. Bishop’s Form is hardier than other Erodiums, and can tolerate Zone 6 temperatures.
Grows 3″h x 8″w. Charm has pink flowers with dark pink veins, and dark green scalloped leaves. It blooms from April to August. Hardy to Zone 7.
Varies daily, late April through October. Please contact us for current availability.
Family: Geraniaceae (Geranium Family)
Genus: Erodium
Common Name: Alpine Geranium, Cranesbill, Heronsbill, Storksbill
Origin: The Mediterranean region has the most diversity of Erodiums, but members of this genus can be found in similar climates around the world.
Culture: Erodiums can succeed in nearly any spot in the yard, as long as they’re not in boggy soil or deep shade. They like sun and fast-draining soils, and should be planted 8-10” apart.
Established plants can be divided in the spring. In late spring, side shoots can be dug from the side of a mature crown. Be sure to include a small attached chunk of the parent crown with the side shoot.
Maintenance: Erodiums require very little in the way of maintenance. When they’re newly planted, they’ll appreciate warm-weather watering. Once established, they’ll take care of themselves, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy their beauty!
Pest and Disease: There are no pests or diseases common to Erodiums.
