Cultivation Strategies for Durable Geraniums
Hardy geraniums, often referred to as cranesbill geraniums, are a delightful addition to any garden. Named after the nurserywoman Rozanne Waterer who discovered the popular variety 'Rozanne', these plants bear large violet-blue flowers with white centres and grey anthers for months on end. They typically grow to a height and spread of 30cm x 60cm.
Hardy geraniums thrive in moist but well-drained soil and can grow in both sun and shade. They are reliable, long-flowering, and easy-to-grow plants, making them a favourite among gardeners.
A Variety of Hardy Geraniums
One such variety is Geranium 'Rozanne'. Another compact and low-growing option is Geranium sanguineum var. striatum, which produces masses of pale pink, veined flowers in contrast with dark green foliage. It's perfect for growing at the front of a mixed herbaceous border or in containers on the patio, and typically grows to a height and spread of 10cm x 30cm.
Geranium cinereum 'Giuseppe' is a compact variety that remains as a neat cushion, covered with half inch-wide, bowl-shaped magenta flowers from early to late summer. It typically grows to a height and spread of 30cm x 30cm.
For those seeking a plant with black-centred, bright-purple flowers, Geranium 'Patricia' is an excellent choice. Its flowers bloom on a low-growing mound of dark green leaves, with leaves turning a fantastic shade of red in autumn. It typically grows to a height and spread of 60cm x 45cm.
Hardy Geraniums: A Gardener's Friend
Hardy geraniums require very little care and are not targeted by rabbits. They can be great self-seeders and will often grow in tiny cracks in paving. Moreover, they are fantastic for pollinators such as bees and hoverflies, and some of them flower until the first frosts.
Hardy geraniums can cope with any soil type and some, such as Geranium sylvaticum and its cultivars, can cope with very dry conditions. Slugs and snails will eat other plants in preference to hardy geraniums.
Hardy Geraniums vs Pelargonium Geraniums
It's important to note that hardy geraniums are different from pelargonium geraniums, despite sharing a common name. While pelargoniums are typically grown as annuals, hardy geraniums are perennial plants that return year after year and often have a spreading, clumping growth habit.
Notable Hardy Geraniums
Geranium x magnificum produces a glorious show of rich violet-blue flowers in mid-summer and has received the Royal Horticultural Society's prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM). Geranium x oxonianum f. thurstonianum bears single to double, pink-purple flowers with very narrow petals, perfect for growing at the front of a mixed herbaceous border or at the base of shrubs such as roses.
A pink-flowered plant sometimes sold under the name 'Spessart' but the true plant has white flowers, makes a useful ground cover plant for dry, shady areas, producing a dense mat of aromatic leaves, which take on rich autumn tints.
Lastly, Geranium maderense, the largest of the geranium species, reaching a lofty 1.5m in height. Although perennial, it often acts as a biennial, producing pretty magenta pink blooms in its second year.
In conclusion, hardy geraniums are a versatile and beautiful addition to any garden. With their wide variety of colours, sizes, and growth habits, there's a hardy geranium to suit every gardener's needs.
Enjoy the array of hardy geraniums that cater to your home-and-garden lifestyle and gardening preferences. From the low-growing Geranium sanguineum var. striatum to the tall and striking Geranium maderense, each variety offers a unique splash of colour, making them great additions to various spot of your lawn or patio lifestyle.
