What flowers are Hardy Geraniums?
When searching for flowers that are adaptable, compact, and long-blooming, consider hardy geranium plants ( Geranium spp.). Also called cranesbill geranium flower, the plant comes in colors ranging from pinks, blues, and vivid purples to subdued whites.
Do geraniums spread?
Hardy geraniums are low-growing plants that spread via rhizomes. The foliage is often toothed and remains attractive year-round. The flowers float on top of the plant in shades of white, pink, magenta, purple, and blue.
What happens if you plant geraniums too deep?
Planting too deep can prevent them from flowering. Cutting them back after flowering is complete often prompts a second bloom period later in the summer. Hardy geraniums are relatively trouble-free plants.
What are Hardy Geraniums used for?
Hardy geraniums can be used in a variety of ways in the landscape, depending on the type. Some varieties make good border plants, others are ideal for woodland gardens and part shade locations, while others are excellent ground cover or rock garden plants.
When does a geranium bloom again?
Why are geraniums called the little black dress?
Is Bloody Cranesbill invasive?
Do geraniums come back in spring?
Can geraniums survive drought?
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Do hardy geraniums spread?
Hardy geranium plants grow larger over time, spreading and developing into big clumps. These can be divided by cutting them in half or quarters with a sharp spade. This can be done in autumn, or in spring as they start into growth. Divide them every 3 to 5 years to keep them growing and flowering strongly.
How do you control hardy geraniums?
Grow hardy geraniums in moist but well-drained soil in sun or shade. Cut back after flowering to encourage a second flush of blooms. Hardy geraniums die back in autumn and regrow in spring. Mulching annually with leaf mould or well-rotted compost or horse manure will keep plants growing well for several years.
How do I get rid of invasive geraniums?
You can use a non-selective herbicide such as glyphosate (e.g. Roundup) but this kills grass and may result in a flush of new weed seedlings following spraying.
How far do geraniums spread?
Do Geraniums Spread? Healthy geraniums can self-seed, and new plants have a tendency to spring up nearby, but they are not uncontrollable spreaders. The ivy-leaved variety of geranium sprawls willingly, growing between 30 to 48-inches wide. If planted into the ground, space these geraniums roughly 36-inches apart.
What to do with hardy geraniums after flowering?
Cutting back after flowering Early-flowering perennials such as geraniums and delphiniums are cut to near ground level after flowering to encourage fresh foliage and late summer flowering. These are then cut back again in autumn or spring.
What to plant with hardy geraniums?
The fresh green, lacy fronds of ferns are the perfect foil for shade-tolerant geraniums. Choose smaller fern varieties such as Dryopteris affinis 'Crispa Gracilis', which has a compact habit. Or try taller, arching varieties, such as Dryopteris affinis, which will emerge above a mat of lower-growing geraniums.
Is there a ground cover geranium?
Dalmatian pink cranesbill (Geranium dalmaticum) is petite in stature but carries a big footprint for usefulness in the garden. It is perfectly suited to use in the rock garden, where the low growing foliage serves as a wonderful ground cover and filler.
Are geraniums weeds?
Dove's foot cranesbill (Geranium molle) is a common annual weed that can be troublesome in poorly growing lawns.
Why is Herb Robert called death come quickly?
Herb Robert also has supernatural associations and its connection with the German sprite, Knecht Rupert, travelled to the British Isles to attach itself to Robin Goodfellow or Puck, the evil fairy that could bring death to a household (which may explain that sinister Death come-quickly name).
How long will a geranium live?
The average life expectancy of a geranium is about two years, and although they will last much longer than that, they tend to get woody and the blooms diminish. Luckily, propagation is easy with geraniums. Simply take four-inch stem tip cuttings with at least two pairs of healthy leaves.
How far apart do you plant hardy geraniums?
Space plants 1 foot apart in beds. Grow hardy geranium plants with plenty of water and fertilizer each spring with a layer of compost. Mulch around the base of plants to inhibit weed growth and keep the soil moist. Hardy geraniums will repeat flower if deadheaded and cut back after the initial blooming period.
Do geraniums have deep roots?
Also at home in containers, because of their shallow roots and compact nature, they're a window box staple as well as a top choice for hanging baskets.
How do you keep geraniums from getting leggy?
In order to keep a geranium compact and bushy and prevent it from getting leggy, it needs to be pruned hard at least once a year. The more regularly you prune your geranium, the better able a geranium is able to keep a pleasing shape. Spindly geraniums can also be the result of poor light conditions.
How do you prune cranesbill geraniums?
0:341:54How to Prune a Cranesbill - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo when you're pruning a cranesbill. Or any kind of geranium. You want to but my rule of thumb isMoreSo when you're pruning a cranesbill. Or any kind of geranium. You want to but my rule of thumb is trim it back one-third at a time and so you just want to trim out any of the spent flowers.
How do you prune Rozanne geraniums?
You can control plant size somewhat by shearing plants back after the first flush of flowers. Cut stems to as short as three inches to encourage branched growth and subsequent shorter stems. For garden clean-up, cut stems in late fall after frost or in early spring before new growth begins.
How do you prune geraniums?
Shape the Plant by Pruning Use a pair of reliable shears to trim back perennial geraniums to 2 or 3 inches above the soil, cutting at nodes or new growth points when possible. Remove any leaves or additional flowers that remain. You'll end up with a fairly unattractive grouping of thick stems.
Best of the Best Hardy Geraniums - Gardenia.net
There are about 300 species and a plethora of cultivars and hybrids in the world. If you are looking for the best hardy geranium that will sail through the challenges of the seasons, you may
Great Hardy Geraniums as Ground Covers - Gardenia.net
Hardy geraniums forming low mounds of well-formed foliage and dainty flowers make superb flowering ground covers. Flowering at no more than 1 ft. (30cm) high, and often much shorter, they
When does a geranium bloom again?
When a geranium gets leggy, just shear the plant back, and it usually will bloom again in late summer and autumn. Valerie Easton writes every two weeks in digs.
Why are geraniums called the little black dress?
Hardy geraniums have been called “the little black dress” of the garden because they’re so practical, stylish and reliable in every situation. When you have bare earth and don’t know what to plant, throw in a couple of hardy geraniums. Because hardy geraniums come in a variety of colors and leaf textures, spread accommodatingly or wind ...
Is Bloody Cranesbill invasive?
Most are eminently useful, but a few are invasive, including the pernicious weed “herb Robert” ( G. robertianum ). Watch out, too, for the pink-flowered plant with the ugly common name bloody cranesbill ( G. sanguineum ), which can rampage through borders. If you want to cover a large area quickly, this is the plant for you.
Do geraniums come back in spring?
Hardy geraniums, also called cranesbills, are undemanding mainstays of beds and borders, forming pillows of long-lasting foliage and flowers. They’re true perennials, disappearing in winter to come back in larger clumps every spring. There are hundreds of different kinds of hardy geraniums. Most are eminently useful, but a few are invasive, ...
Can geraniums survive drought?
Hardy geraniums can take drought once established, are effective at keeping down weeds and grow comfortably with a wide variety of other plantings including roses and rhododendrons. ‘Mourning widow’ ( G. phaeum ), named for its somber palette of chocolate-blotched leaves and upswept little maroon flowers, thrives in the shade cast by shrubs.
What is a hardy geranium?
Back to Top. The flowering perennial plants known collectively as hardy geraniums comprise many cultivars of several different species and hybrids within the Geranium genus. As a group, they are also known as true geraniums, perennial geraniums, or wild geraniums. Other common names includes cranesbill geranium ( Geranium macrorrhizum), ...
How to keep geraniums from flowering?
Plant hardy geraniums so that the crown of the plant is at ground level or slightly above. Planting too deep can prevent them from flowering. Cutting them back after flowering is complete often prompts a second bloom period later in the summer. Hardy geraniums are relatively trouble-free plants.
What is a geranium called?
Those familiar annual "geraniums" common in deck planters and gravestone urns are actually Pelargonium x hortorum hybrids; they may also be called zonal geraniums .
What temperature do geraniums grow?
Hardy geraniums grow best in daytime temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and nighttime temperatures between 50 degrees and 60 degrees. They tolerate a wide range of humidity levels, though mildew and rust can be a non-life-threatening issue in very humid regions.
How tall does a geranium grow?
There are as many as 300 types of geraniums available to grow, including: Geranium × oxonianum 'Wargrave Pink': The most commonly grown geranium with salmon-pink flowers, it grows 18 to 24 inches tall in zones 3 to 8.
How many types of geraniums are there?
There are as many as 300 types of geraniums available to grow, including:
How to separate geraniums?
Use a trowel or a knife to separate, making sure that each division has a root section and leaves. Replant each divided section at the original depth, and water the plants well. Many hardy geraniums will self-seed very readily, even taking root in sidewalk cracks.
What is the most popular geranium?
Probably the most popular hardy geranium is G. Rozanne, a hybrid form which has a particularly long bloom period. The bright blue flowers are out on this form from May to frost, and Rozanne spreads as the season progresses.
What zone do geraniums grow in?
One selection that is very interesting is Geranium "Sirak" which grows happily in zones 5-8.
What is the perennial plant of the year 2015?
The Perennial Plant Association's Perennial Plant of the Year for 2015 is Geranium xcantabrigiense "Biokovo", and a number of other cultivars of this good landscape and garden species are available in the marketplace as well. "Biokovo" is found growing in Dalmatia region in Croatia.
Where did the Geranium dalmaticum and Geranium macrorrhizum species cross?
This species was the result of natural crosses occurring about the Mediterranean sea where Geranium dalmaticum and Geranium macrorrhizum, whose naturally occurring populations spontaneously crossed to form this new species.
Where does G. sanguineum grow?
G. wlassovianum is native to Asia, but thrives in our area, with pubescent foliage that takes on a rich red color in the autumn, and dark purple flowers.
Is Geranium hardy in Pennsylvania?
There is an ever-increasing array of excellent hardy Geranium species and cultivars that are strong performers in most of Pennsylvania.
What is a geranium plant?
To the uninitiated, a "geranium" is that familiar annual plant so often found planted in cemetery urns, window boxes, and hanging baskets —a fleshy-leaved plant with long flower stalks and clustered blossoms. But, that plant, which often goes by the common name of "garden geranium" or "annual geranium," is actually ...
What are the names of the Geraniums?
The plants that truly belong to the Geranium genus are much different specimens: perennial flowering plants that also go by the common names "true geraniums," "hardy geraniums," "cranesbill," or "storksbill.". The latter two monikers are derived from the seed pods' resemblance to the bills of those birds. Hardy geraniums are low-growing plants that ...
What is a Johnson's blue geranium?
'Johnson's Blue,' likely a hybrid of G. himalayense and G. pretense, was the first brilliant blue geranium to catch gardeners' eyes. The Royal Horticultural Society even gave it the Award of Garden Merit. Its blue flowers are hard to photograph but appear more stunning in person. The flower stalks can grow quite tall and will droop under the weight of the blossoms. Most gardeners don't bother to stake them, since it's still an attractive plant, even with its floppy habit. Cut back the flowers after the first bloom to get sporadic repeat blooms. Often, the plant can begin to look scraggly, and a good shearing is needed. 'Johnson's Blue' is drought tolerant and blooms best in full sun , but it appreciates afternoon shade in hot, dry areas. The disease-resistant cultivar is a magnet for bees and butterflies.
How tall is G. sanguineum?
The flowers can completely hide the foliage, and repeat blooms can be expected. This plant spreads less quickly than G. endressii and requires little to no care. Native Area: Europe, northern Turkey. USDA Growing Zones: 3–8. Height: 18 inches.
How many varieties of Geraniums are there?
Here are six varieties of hardy geraniums to consider for your flower garden.
Is annual geranium a perennial?
But, that plant, which often goes by the common name of "garden geranium" or "annual geranium," is actually a member of the Pelargonium genus of plants, and it has been since 1789, when the genus was separated from the Geranium genus. The plants that truly belong to the Geranium genus are much different specimens: perennial flowering plants ...
What is the prettiest geranium?
Regarded as one of the prettiest Geraniums, award-winning Geranium pratense 'Mrs. Kendall Clarke' has become a garden staple. It forms dense mounds of jaggedly-lobed, dark green leaves, topped with abundant and very attractive, soft lavender blue blossoms, 1.5 in. wide (4 cm), delicately veined in white from late spring to early summer. Tall and hardy, let it ramble and tumble in with its neighbors for a very charming effect! Drought tolerant, once established, it is attractive to butterflies but deer resistant.
What is a geranium?
Noted for its length of flowering season, award-winning Geranium 'Mavis Simpson' is a spreading, semi-evergreen perennial with masses of perfectly rounded, soft, shell pink flowers, adorned with finely drawn, darker veins and a white center. The blossoms are held on long flowering stems, well above the foliage of finely cut, downy, silver-tinted leaves and produced in great quantities from late spring to late fall. Well-behaved, with one of the longest flowering periods of any of the hardy geraniums, it is an ideal element of the perennial border where the flowers will gently thread their way through the stems of neighboring plants. Excellent groundcover too.
What is the largest hardy plant?
One of the largest hardy species, award-winning Geranium psilostemon (Armenian Cranesbill) is quite eye-catching with its large magenta cup-shaped flowers, up to 1.5 in. wide (4 cm), with black centers and dark veining, rising atop broad, exotic fan-shaped leaves that turn red in fall.
What is a sanguineum?
A lovely free flowering variety of the sanguineum species, Geranium sanguineum var. striatum (Bloody Cranesbill) is an eye-catching prostrate perennial with soft pink, cup-shaped flowers with darker pink veining, up to 1.5 in. wide (4 cm). Blooming sporadically from late spring to late summer, the elegant blooms rise atop a decorative, compact mound of narrow-lobed dark green leaves, that often turn bronzy-red in fall and add attractive fall color to the landscape. This hardy Geranium is reliable, easy to grow and provides long-lasting color for any garden.
What color are geraniums?
Robust and vigorous, with one of the longest flowering periods of any of the hardy geraniums and rare blue-colored flowers.
How big is the geranium orion?
Geranium 'Orion' (Cranesbill) Noted for its depth of color, size of bloom and length of flowering season, award-winning Geranium 'Orion' is a spreading perennial with masses of very large, 2 in. across (5 cm), cup-shaped, vibrant mauve-blue flowers with a small white eye.
What is the name of the perennial with pink flowers?
Geranium 'Elke' (Cranesbill) Noted for its long flowering season, Geranium 'Elke' (Cranesbill) is an eye-catching, mat-forming, spreading perennial with upward-facing, strong pink flowers with a small white eye and a pale outer edge to the petals.
Why are geraniums so popular?
An important reason for the popularity of hardy geraniums among perennial gardeners is their long season of interest. While all of them have pretty flowers, the majority are almost as attractive when not blooming, and several are grown specifically for their pretty foliage.
How to divide geraniums after surgery?
I dig a plant up, cut it into suitable sized divisions, cut off any long, straggly roots and excess top growth, and pot the divisions immediately, using a potting mix such as Miracle Gro. I place the pots in light shade and keep the soil damp. The plants look so pathetic for a few days that sometimes I almost wish they WOULD die--but almost all of them survive. I have had especially good luck with Biokovo and New Hampshire Purple.
Is geranium perennial or annual?
The genus geranium and its close relatives, which are perennial in the temperate-climate garden. That's just a disclaimer, because I don't grow the tender geraniums (genus pelargonium ), however lovely and scented they may be. Well, OK, they're occasionally featured in the hanging baskets Amy uses to spruce up the patio, ...
Is Geranium maderense a biennial?
I have geranium maderense (spelling). It's a biennial and it gets huge.
Can you divide geraniums?
I've never divided geraniums. It probably can be done, but they do a decent job of multiplying by seed, so I've not felt a need to do so. Still, I may wish to create more of specific cultivars such as Okey Dokey, so if you have experience vegetatively propagating geranium species, I'd appreciate your comments (see the form at the bottom of this page).
Do geraniums have purple leaves?
But many geraniums also shine with a greater color pallette - some throughout the year, others in fall. I don't have examples of variegated geraniums just yet (coming soon!), but we do grow a purple-leaved variety of G. pratense, named Okey Dokey. The leaves emerge in a dark plum color in early spring, then get a bit greener as the season goes on.
How tall is a cranesbill geranium?
Brighten the rock garden with various cultivars of the cranesbill geranium flower, which may be as short as six inches (15 cm.) or as tall as three feet (1 m.). Smaller varieties may cascade from containers.
When do cranesbill geraniums bloom?
Attractive, cup shaped or frilly flowers bloom profusely and spread abundantly. The hardy geranium flower blooms in late spring and lasts until fall.
Do cranebill geraniums need fertilizer?
When mature, the cranesbill geranium flower has few insect pests and requires only limited fertilization. Rich organic soil is often all the plant needs for optimum growth and flower set.
Can cranebill geraniums grow in damp soil?
Growing hardy cranesbil l geranium may be as easy as planting and watching it blossom when conditions are somewhat damp. Hardy geranium plants grow best in consistently moist soil when first planted, but become somewhat drought tolerant when established.
Do geraniums need full sun?
Many varieties of hardy geranium plants exist and thrive in full sun to shady locations. When considering how to plant hardy geraniums, consider the location where you wish to plant and choose an appropriate plant for the available sunlight. Locate the plant where it has room to sprawl, clipping the edges back if necessary to keep it within its ...
What is the prettiest geranium?
Regarded as one of the prettiest Geraniums, award-winning Geranium pratense 'Mrs. Kendall Clarke' has become a garden staple. It forms dense mounds of jaggedly-lobed, dark green leaves, topped with abundant and very attractive, soft lavender blue blossoms, 1.5 in. wide (4 cm), delicately veined in white from late spring to early summer. Tall and hardy, let it ramble and tumble in with its neighbors for a very charming effect! Drought tolerant, once established, it is attractive to butterflies but deer resistant.
How tall do geraniums grow?
Hardy geraniums forming low mounds of well-formed foliage and dainty flowers make superb flowering ground covers. Flowering at no more than 1 ft. (30cm) high, and often much shorter, they earn their place in the smallest garden.
What is the best geranium for rock gardens?
Great Hardy Geraniums for Rock Gardens. The best hardy gera nium species and cultivars for rock gardens are those which require sharp drainage and gritty, rocky or sandy soil. If you are looking for a beautiful, low-maintenance, hardy geranium that will sail through the challenges of the seasons, you may want to consider these top performing ...
What is the name of the geranium that is the last to bloom?
Geranium wlassovianum (Cranesbill) One of the first hardy geraniums to flower and one of the last to bloom, Geranium wlassovianum is also noted for its attractive foliage throughout the growing season.
What is a sanguineum?
A lovely free flowering variety of the sanguineum species, Geranium sanguineum var. striatum (Bloody Cranesbill) is an eye-catching prostrate perennial with soft pink, cup-shaped flowers with darker pink veining, up to 1.5 in. wide (4 cm). Blooming sporadically from late spring to late summer, the elegant blooms rise atop a decorative, compact mound of narrow-lobed dark green leaves, that often turn bronzy-red in fall and add attractive fall color to the landscape. This hardy Geranium is reliable, easy to grow and provides long-lasting color for any garden.
What is the color of geraniums?
Each of the overlapping, almost round petals is veined in iridescent purple. The blossoms are held on slender stems high above the foliage of deeply lobed mid-green basal leaves. Robust and vigorous, with one of the longest flowering periods of any of the hardy geraniums and rare blue-colored flowers.
What is the name of the flower that turns red in fall?
Noted for its exceptionally long flowering period, award-winning Geranium 'Patricia' (Cranesbill) is quite eye-catching with its profusion of magenta-pink cup-shaped flowers with black star-shaped centers, rising atop mounds of deeply cut, dark green leaves that turn stunning shades of red in fall. Putting on a great show from late spring to midsummer, this hardy Geranium is reliable, easy to grow and provides long-lasting color for any garden. Attractive to butterflies but deer and rabbit resistant! Drought tolerant!
When does a geranium bloom again?
When a geranium gets leggy, just shear the plant back, and it usually will bloom again in late summer and autumn. Valerie Easton writes every two weeks in digs.
Why are geraniums called the little black dress?
Hardy geraniums have been called “the little black dress” of the garden because they’re so practical, stylish and reliable in every situation. When you have bare earth and don’t know what to plant, throw in a couple of hardy geraniums. Because hardy geraniums come in a variety of colors and leaf textures, spread accommodatingly or wind ...
Is Bloody Cranesbill invasive?
Most are eminently useful, but a few are invasive, including the pernicious weed “herb Robert” ( G. robertianum ). Watch out, too, for the pink-flowered plant with the ugly common name bloody cranesbill ( G. sanguineum ), which can rampage through borders. If you want to cover a large area quickly, this is the plant for you.
Do geraniums come back in spring?
Hardy geraniums, also called cranesbills, are undemanding mainstays of beds and borders, forming pillows of long-lasting foliage and flowers. They’re true perennials, disappearing in winter to come back in larger clumps every spring. There are hundreds of different kinds of hardy geraniums. Most are eminently useful, but a few are invasive, ...
Can geraniums survive drought?
Hardy geraniums can take drought once established, are effective at keeping down weeds and grow comfortably with a wide variety of other plantings including roses and rhododendrons. ‘Mourning widow’ ( G. phaeum ), named for its somber palette of chocolate-blotched leaves and upswept little maroon flowers, thrives in the shade cast by shrubs.
