Hardy Geranium: Cranesbill
Hardy geraniums provide an easy care, colorful, and reliable ground cover or filler in the sunny to partially shaded garden. They’re also a favorite of bees and butterflies!
Plant care & info
Family: Geraniaceae
Genus: Geranium
Common Name: Cranesbill (the plant’s fruit resembles a crane’s bill)
Geraniums occur worldwide, mostly in temperate regions with representatives growing in Europe, North America, New Zealand and much of Asia.
Geraniums are equally happy in a range of soils–including light, acidic, sandy, clay and alkaline. Geraniums are easy to grow, tough, and can tolerate a variety of light conditions—from full sun to deep shade.
Some do prefer drier rock garden conditions, while others prefer moist woodland conditions. At the end of the day, there are geraniums suitable for every type of gardening condition!
Some varieties may suffer from mildew, but this can be dealt with by cutting them back after bloom.
Geraniums require minimal care. Organic matter such as compost is all that is needed for fertilizing. Also, the tallest plants can be cut back after flowering to prevent them from going to seed and looking tired.
Attracts bees, butterflies and birds. Deer resistant. Tolerate a variety of sun conditions.
Many varieties of geranium can be propagated from seed and division.
Not to be confused with Perlagoniums (aka annual geraniums), hardy geraniums can be found worldwide in temperate regions across Europe, North America, New Zealand and much of Asia. Geraniums are winter hardy perennials and can be used in a variety of gardening conditions— from rock gardens to shady woodland gardens.
The genus geranium has four hundred species and countless cultivars. However, not all geranium species are suitable for the garden. Some are not hardy enough to survive winters outdoors in northern climates, while others are very weedy in nature.
Geraniums are known for the breadth of conditions they can tolerate, from full sun to dry shade, as well as the ease with which they can be grown. Flower colors range from white, blue, purple and a multitude of pinks. In addition, many of the flowers have interesting variegation, veining, and spotting.
Leaf colors range from green, green with dark markings, green with yellow markings, as well as brown. Geraniums can be fun and easy for any kind of gardener and garden condition. They can liven up a rock garden or add texture and color to a romantic rose garden. In addition, many work well in dappled shade beneath deciduous trees. They combine beautifully with shasta daisies, peonies, and iris.
