"Growing Resilient Geraniums: A Comprehensive Guide"
Hardy Geraniums: Easy-to-Grow, Long-Flowering Charms for Your Garden
Hardy geraniums, also known as cranesbills, are reliable, long-flowering, and easy-to-grow plants that add a touch of charm to any garden. Unlike pelargoniums, which are commonly known as geraniums but belong to a different genus, hardy geraniums are perennial hardy plants that return year after year.
These versatile plants can grow in a variety of conditions, making them suitable for both garden borders and containers on the patio. They thrive in moist but well-drained soil in sun or shade. Most hardy geraniums prefer light shade, while the smaller alpine types do best in full sun.
One of the standout features of hardy geraniums is their long flowering season. Some varieties, like Geranium 'Rozanne', bear large violet-blue flowers with white centres and grey anthers, for months on end. Others, such as Geranium 'Max Frei', produce bright pink, veined flowers on hairy stems, from June to August.
Geranium maderense, the largest of the geranium species, reaches a lofty 1.5m in height. It bears masses of pale pink, veined flowers in contrast with dark green foliage. The botanical name for cranesbill geraniums is Geranium.
Hardy geraniums are not only beautiful but also tough. They can cope with any soil type and some, such as Geranium sylvaticum and its cultivars, can even thrive in very dry conditions. They are also not targeted by rabbits, and slugs and snails will eat other plants in preference.
In terms of size, hardy geraniums range from compact varieties like Geranium cinereum 'Giuseppe', which remains as a neat cushion, to larger border geraniums like Geranium x magnificum, which has a height and spread of 60cm x 90cm.
Geranium sanguineum var. striatum is a compact, very low-growing geranium, ideal for the front of a mixed herbaceous border. Geranium 'Spessart' makes a useful ground cover plant for dry, shady areas, producing a dense mat of aromatic leaves, which take on rich autumn tints.
Some hardy geraniums offer attractive autumn foliage, so resist the urge to cut back too quickly after flowering. Mulching hardy geraniums annually with leaf mould or well-rotted compost or horse manure will keep plants growing well for several years.
Hardy geraniums are fantastic for pollinators such as bees and hoverflies. However, they can also be affected by the larvae of geranium sawfly, which can munch holes in the leaves, leaving an unsightly, lace-like appearance. To combat this, cultivating the ground beneath susceptible plants by clearing debris and lightly raking the soil will expose the larvae to be killed by frost, and to be eaten by birds and other predators.
In conclusion, hardy geraniums are a must-have for any garden. They are easy to care for, long-flowering, and add a touch of beauty to any space. Whether you're looking for a compact variety or a larger border plant, there's a hardy geranium to suit every garden.
Where to Buy Hardy Geraniums
- Geranium sanguineum var. striatum: Thompson & Morgan
- Geranium 'Rozanne': Thompson & Morgan, Crocus
- Geranium 'Max Frei': Buy from Claire Austin
- Geranium maderense: Thompson & Morgan
- Geranium 'Spessart': The Hardy Geranium Nursery
- Geranium cinereum 'Giuseppe': J Parker's
- Geranium x oxonianum f. thurstonianum: The Hardy Geranium Nursery, Thompson & Morgan
- Geranium x oxonianum f. thurstonianum 'Southcombe Star': The Hardy Geranium Nursery
- To add more variety to your home-and-garden lifestyle, consider incorporating hardy geraniums into your garden. These easy-to-grow, long-flowering plants can thrive in containers or garden borders, providing charm throughout the seasons.
- For those seeking compact varieties, Geranium cinereum 'Giuseppe' is a neat cushion-like option, while Geranium 'Spessart' offers a dense ground cover for dry, shady areas. To find these and other hardy geranium varieties, check out Thompson & Morgan, Crocus, Claire Austin, The Hardy Geranium Nursery, and J Parker's.
