Learn about hardy geraniums known as cranesbills. An easy to grow perennials plant with beautiful blooms all summer that give the garden a nice casual cottage feel.
I’m a little addicted to garden beauties, also known as "cranesbill." If you haven’t grown them yet, I just may persuade you to pick up a few. For those that have, maybe you're infatuated like me and will enjoy my take on this lovely perennial plant.
Hardy Geraniums vs Pelargoniums
When you hear the word geranium you may be thinking about the large flowered plants sold just about everywhere. These plants are actually Pelargoniums that originate from South Africa. They typically are sold as annuals meaning they only last for the season unless you over-winter them indoor. True geraniums are hardy perennials that come back year after year. However, both hardy geraniums and Pelargoniums are part of the same family, Geraniaceae.
Why are they called Cranesbill?
The name cranesbill comes from the Greek word “geranos” which translates to crane and bill due to the shape of the seed pod which looks like the "bill," of a crane.
Reasons to Grow Perennial Geraniums
- First of all, they have this charming meandering habit with the sweetest little flowers. They provide an informal look to the garden that many of us love.
2. And for those of you who like to collect plants, there are many varieties to enjoy. There are over four hundred species and countless cultivars of this beautiful plant. As you can see from this post there are many different colored blooms and interesting foliage to pick from.
3. They range in size from four inches tall to around four feet tall. Most of the ones I have lie somewhere in the middle. Some make a great ground cover or pretty garden border. Of course, you can grow them in containers too.
4. They are easy to grow and are winter hardy from USDA zone 4 - 8. They require some sun but will grow well in some shade.
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5.They grow well in many soil types as long as it's not too wet. They even grow well in my Western Pennsylvania clay soil.
6. Once established they are pretty drought tolerant especially if you live in an area where it doesn't get blisteringly hot for long periods of time.
7. They are pest and disease resistant and attract bees and other pollinators too.
Blooms All Summer Long
The flowers are gorgeous and many of them bloom from late spring throughout the summer. In addition, many cranesbills have interesting foliage (some are even scented) to admire, even when they are not in bloom, and many of their leaves change color in late summer through the fall.
Have I piqued your interest yet? How about the fact that some perennial geraniums can be self-seeding which means you’ll have more to share or plant in your garden next year?
Don’t worry they are easily pulled out if they end up somewhere you don’t want them. But in my case, I love finding volunteers. I either leave them or pot them up for a friend.
Most of these beauties have a pleasing mound shape that I particularly like in the garden, especially in the front of borders.
Perennial Plants of the Year Choice
The pretty white flowered one shown above, Geranium x cantabrigiense ‘Biokovo.’ was named Perennial Plant of the Year in 2015. For me, if the PPA chooses a plant for their Plant of the Year, I know there's a very good chance it will do very well in my garden. Many other associations choose plants of the year, doing the legwork for you, so you can be successful in your garden. Geranium 'Rozanne' was named perennial plant of the year in 2008 and is still very popular today.
Once you find something that grows well for you, you'll probably want more. Especially since there are lots of different varieties like there are this lovely plant. Who knows, you may become cuckoo for cranesbills too.
Melissa
Thank you so much for posting! I was just noticing this specie of plant today as I was looking down at our ground covering in front of my apartment building....I always loved them and want to plant in my mom's garden in Brooklyn, New York..Will certainly
check our local nursery, and now I will know what to look for.
Thank you Patti!
Patti Estep
That's great Melissa. I think your mom will love them!
Ellen T
These are lovely,going to try my local nurseries.Can you start them from seed? I like them because it would be a nice ground cover & maybe not have to plant every year. Wish me luck! Love your emails...thanks
Oh I,live in the southern tip of Virginia!!!
Patti Estep
Ellen, So happy to hear that you like the emails. I haven't grown any geraniums from seed but I have one called Bloody Cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum) that readily self-seeds. Should be great for Virginia. Good Luck!
Elaine
I LOVE hardy geraniums but I have a hard time finding them in the nurseries here in middle Georgia. II've ordered bare root plants but they didn't live. This year I finally found seeds (from overseas). I planted the first batch but have seen no sprouts yet. Where do you buy the plants (not bare root)? All the ones I have are transplants from my father's garden in Missouri.
Patti Estep
Elaine, I have bought most mine from local nurseries. However, I've seen some like Rozanne sold at places like Home Depot. Perhaps you can ask a local nursery or the garden buyer at a local big box store for places you can go or special order some for you.
Elisabeth Stilgenbauer
I bought a collection of winter hardy geraniums, they did not do well in the sun in TN. I then put them in pots in partly shade, they are very spindly even after I cut the flowers of , they were planted in miracle soil and watered regular y,
what else can I do?
Patti
Hi Elisabeth,
Hardy geraniums should work in TN. In fact, I lived outside Nashville for 2 years and grew them there with no problem. Perhaps they will settle in and do better in time. You know what they say about perennials. First year sleep, 2nd year creep, 3rd year leap. Thanks for stopping by and good luck. Don't feel bad if they don't work out. We all have plants that don't work from time to time. Check with a local nursery and see if they can recommend a particular variety that will work well.
Alice K Anderson
Hi,
I live in TN and I have been growing Hardy Geraniums for one year This makes my second year. This first year was a disaster I spent so much money buying and replanting 8 geraniums. Finally, after ordering 8 only 3 lived from last year. I moved the plants to a part sun/ part shade area. So, far the 2 plants are growing and starting to bloom. I beleive moving them to a less sunny area and adding Peat Moss, Compost and Miracle Grow is a big help. I dont think these plants, like a lot sun, as much as advertised.
Patti Estep
Alice, I find that many do well in sun here in Pennsylvania. However, what you might be finding in TN is the heat index. Some plants need a rest from the sun in hot areas, so I hope that giving them some shade in the afternoon when the sun is the hottest will help. Check with a local nursery and see what they say.
Dorothy
I love hardy geraniums, too. If you cut them way back mid summer, you will have nice tidy rosy mounds till winter. Also, I pull off the seed pod after bloom and the plant will trail along
the ground or wind around nearby shrubs.
Patti
Thanks Dorothy, Two great reminders and I do so love it when they trail and wind through the garden.
sarah @ {Home-ology} modern vintage
You've reminded me that I have at least one of these hiding in my garden. Now I just need to remember where it is!
Patti
Too funny! I hope you find it. If not time to try another. Thanks Sarah for stopping by.
Charlie@Seattle Trekker
Great photos and as a gardener I found your information very useful.
Patti
Thanks! I appreciate the comment!
Susan M
Thanks for sharing. I LOVE my hardy geraniums. Didn't realize there are different kinds. I may have to search some out now. Just when I thought I was done planting.....
Patti
Hi Susan, Ooooh yes there are many.. many more than I shared. Glad you liked the post. Sorry I haven't responded sooner. Upgraded my theme today and ended up with a mess. Sigh... maybe I should have left well enough alone. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.