Great Hardy Geraniums as Ground Covers
Best Hardy Geraniums
Bursting with flowers, hardy geraniums also feature a lush foliage which adds valuable texture in the garden. Incredibly tough, pest and disease resistant, they give a lot and require very little. Most hardy geraniums are ridiculously easy to grow. All they require is a moderately fertile, well-drained soil. A few species are even reliably drought tolerant in normal summer conditions.
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. They are quite effective as underplantings for trees and shrubs, as well as choking weeds in garden areas that are difficult to cultivate. Most tolerate morning sun and afternoon shade and do best in light shade.
Most bloom profusely over a very long season, extending from late spring to late fall (if cut back hard after the first flush of blooms starts to fade in early summer).
To beautify your landscape, there is a broad array of colors and textures to choose from. 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 varieties. As you will note, some of them have received the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society!
Great Hardy Geraniums as Ground Covers
Geranium 'Ann Folkard' (Cranesbill)
Noted for its exceptionally long flowering period and spreading habit, award-winning Geranium 'Ann Folkard' is quite eye-catching with its profusion of large, magenta-pink cup-shaped flowers with black star-shaped centers, rising atop mounds of deeply cut, bright golden chartreuse leaves that darken slightly in summer. Putting on a great show from late spring to fall, this hardy geranium is reliable, easy to grow and provides long-lasting color. Vigorous, it can knit the largest of borders together and provides a bold presence in the garden. Attractive to butterflies but deer and rabbit resistant!
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My CollectionGeranium 'Brookside' (Cranesbill)
Combining grace and reliability, award-winning Geranium 'Brookside' is a very desirable border plant which provides long-lasting color in the garden. It forms dense mounds of deeply cut, lacy, dark green leaves, topped from late spring to fall with profuse and very attractive, violet-blue blossoms, 1.5 in. wide (4 cm), with fine reddish veins and white throats. Drought tolerant, once established, it is attractive to butterflies but deer & rabbit resistant
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My CollectionGeranium '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. Blooming from late spring to late summer, the almost fluorescent blossoms rise above a foliage of finely dissected, dark green leaves, that turns bronzy-red in fall. This hardy Geranium is more or less evergreen in mild winter climates. Easy to grow, Geranium 'Elke' provides long-lasting color in the garden.
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My CollectionGeranium 'Johnson's Blue' (Cranesbill)
One of the most popular blue-flowered geraniums, 'Johnson's Blue' forms dense, spreading mounds of neatly cut leaves, topped with abundant clusters of large, saucer-shaped, sky blue flowers, 2 in. wide (5 cm), from late spring to midsummer. Compact, its foliage remains attractive throughout the growing season and makes it useful as a low ground cover. Turning showy red and gold in fall, it creates a pretty contrast. This sturdy performer is not only easy to grow, but it also requires very little maintenance and is pest and disease free!
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My CollectionGeranium 'Mavis Simpson' (Cranesbill)
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.
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My CollectionGeranium '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. 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.
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My CollectionGeranium 'Patricia' (Cranesbill)
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!
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My CollectionGeranium 'Rozanne' (Cranesbill)
Geranium 'Rozanne' is an exceptional, unique and unsurpassed geranium selection. There are not enough superlatives to describe this fabulous perennial. Robust and vigorous, with one of the longest flowering periods of any of the hardy geraniums and rare blue-colored flowers of great decorative beauty, it is an ideal element of the garden, patio or balcony. A prolific bloomer, it continuously produces masses of large violet-blue flowers with attractive purple-violet veins and small white centers for months of color from late spring to the first frost.
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My CollectionGeranium 'Sweet Heidy' (Cranesbill)
Noted for its unusual multicolored blooms, Geranium 'Sweet Heidy' (Cranesbill) is a mounding, spreading perennial with bowl-shaped flowers over a long blooming season. Opening pink, the blossoms turn purple with dark veining and a white center. Blooming from early to late summer, the flowers rise above a neat, dense foliage of deeply cut, lobed leaves. Easy to grow, Geranium 'Sweet Heidy' provides long-lasting color in the garden, as a ground cover or underplanting shrubs and roses. Full shade tolerant.
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My CollectionGeranium himalayense (Lilac Cranesbill)
Forming dense, spreading mounds of neatly cut leaves, Geranium himalayense, commonly known as Lilac Cranesbill, produces dainty, yet very large, cup-shaped flowers, elegantly borne on long stems, in shades of violet, indigo and blue from early to mid summer. Compact, its foliage remains attractive throughout the growing season and makes it useful as a low ground cover. Turning showy reddish-orange in fall, it creates a pretty contrast.
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My CollectionGeranium macrorrhizum 'Czakor' (Cranesbill)
Very fragrant, adaptable and beautiful, Geranium macrorrhizum 'Czakor' (Cranesbill) makes lovely, semi-evergreen groundcover in the garden. This hardy geranium creates a thick mat of fragrant, rounded, light green leaves, topped with abundant clusters of magenta flowers in late spring to early summer. The lush foliage takes on attractive purple tints in the fall, extending the season of interest of this plant. Grows up to 12-18 in. tall (30-45 cm) and 12-24 in. wide (30-60 cm).
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My CollectionGeranium maculatum 'Espresso' (Spotted Cranesbill)
Noted for its unusual chocolate leaves, Geranium maculatum 'Espresso' (Spotted Cranesbill) is a bushy, clump-forming perennial which produces a profusion of upward-facing, saucer-shaped, pale purplish-pink flowers, adorned with a creamy-white center. The blossoms are held well above the contrasting foliage of deeply cut, chocolate leaves, which maintains its color all season. The flowers are followed by distinctive, beaked seed capsules which give rise to the common name of crane's bill and add interest. This Cranesbill is a perfect addition to rock gardens, borders and makes a very interesting ground cover.
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My CollectionGeranium pratense 'Mrs Kendall Clark' (Meadow Cranesbill)
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.
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My CollectionGeranium pratense 'Plenum Violaceum' (Meadow Cranesbill)
An exquisite double flowered variety of Meadow Cranesbill, award-winning Geranium pratense 'Plenum Violaceum' is incredibly beautiful. It forms dense mounds of jaggedly-lobed, dark green leaves, topped in late spring - midsummer with profuse and very attractive, double violet-blue blossoms, 1.5 in. wide (4 cm), delicately flushed purple at their heart. Long-lasting, the flowers are sterile and do not set seed.
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My CollectionGeranium pratense (Meadow Cranesbill)
Tall, with finely cut leaves forming a dramatic mound, Geranium pratense (Meadow Cranesbill) is a clump-forming perennial with abundant clusters of large, saucer-shaped, blue or violet flowers from late spring to mid-summer. This Geranium may even rebloom in late summer or fall if the plant is cut back after the first flush of blooms. The blossoms arise from a foliage of deeply-lobed leaves (7-9 lobes), with long, pointed teeth, that turn bronze in fall. Easy to grow, Geranium pratense stands out as one of the tallest and most vigorous cranesbills.
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My CollectionGeranium psilostemon (Armenian Cranesbill)
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. Putting on a great show from late spring to late summer, this hardy Geranium is reliable, easy to grow and provides long-lasting color for any garden.
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My CollectionGeranium pyrenaicum 'Bill Wallis' (Mountain Cranesbill)
A long-flowering variety, Geranium pyrenaicum 'Bill Wallis' (Cranesbill) is a sprawling perennial which produces a great profusion of vivid purple-blue flowers with deeply notched petals. The blossoms are held above the evergreen foliage of small, rounded, lobed leaves. They will keep their bright color and will not fade away if you forget to water them. This Cranesbill is a perfect addition to rock gardens or borders.
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My CollectionGeranium sanguineum var. striatum (Bloody Cranesbill)
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.
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My CollectionGeranium wallichianum Havana Blues (Cranesbill)
Providing long-lasting color in the garden, Geranium Havana Blues is a low, spreading herbaceous perennial with very large, saucer-shaped, lavender-blue flowers, 2.5 in. across (6 cm), adorned with prominent dark blue veins and a white central zone. Equally attractive are the trailing stems clad with 5-lobed leaves which are marbled in light yellow when young. Blooming continuously from early summer until the first frosts, Geranium Havana Blues is a very attractive variety of Cranesbill which requires minimal care to glow in the garden.
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My CollectionGeranium 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. The rounded, lobed, downy leaves emerge reddish purple in spring before turning dark green in summer and warming up to lovely shades of bright red and golden yellow in fall. Small, 1 in. (2.5 cm), deep purple, saucer-shaped blossoms with white centers and darker veins are held in loose clusters and produced from early summer to early fall.
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My CollectionGeranium x cantabrigiense 'Biokovo' (Cranesbill)
Geranium × cantabrigiense 'Biokovo' (Cranesbill) is a vigorous, semi-evergreen, mat-forming perennial with masses of 5-petaled, very pale pink flowers, 1 in. across (2.5 cm), adorned with contrasting deep pink stamens. Blooming heavily in late spring or early summer, and to a lesser degree in fall when the weather cools, the flowers rise atop a foliage of aromatic, rounded, lobed, dark green leaves which become red-tinged in fall.
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My CollectionGeranium x cantabrigiense 'Karmina' (Cranesbill)
Geranium × cantabrigiense 'Karmina' (Cranesbill) is a vigorous, semi-evergreen, mat-forming perennial with masses of 5-petaled, lilac-pink flowers opening from dark red buds. Blooming heavily from late spring to midsummer, the flowers rise atop a foliage of aromatic, rounded, lobed, green leaves which become red-tinged in fall. Its long flowering season makes it ideal for edging or massing as a groundcover.
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My CollectionGeranium x magnificum (Purple Cranesbill)
A truly magnificent sight in the early to mid summer garden, award-winning Geranium x magnificum (Purple Cranesbill) is a hybrid hardy geranium forming dense mounds of large, 2 in. wide (5 cm), rich violet-blue, heavily veined, saucer-shaped flowers atop a velvety, deeply-lobed foliage that turns red in fall. While the flowering season of this geranium is fairly short (a couple of weeks), it is so intense and stunning that, coupled with this fall color interest, a garden spot should be dedicated to it.
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My CollectionGeranium x oxonianum 'Claridge Druce' (Cranesbill)
A vigorous spreader, Geranium x oxonianum 'Claridge Druce' (Cranesbill) is a superb hardy geranium cultivar featuring lovely rose-pink flowers (2in. wide, 5 cm) with interesting darker veins from late spring to early fall. Blooming profusely, they rise atop attractive mounds of glossy, rounded, gray-green leaves. Drought tolerant, this hardy geranium fares pretty well in hot climates. Reliable, easy to grow, it will provide long-lasting color in the garden. Attractive to butterflies but deer and rabbit resistant!
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My CollectionGeranium x oxonianum 'Wargrave Pink' (Cranesbill)
Tough, vigorous and incredibly pretty, Geranium x oxonianum 'Wargrave Pink' is a superb hardy geranium cultivar with luminous, salmon pink to silvery pink, open-faced flowers from late spring to early fall. Flowers are small (1 in. or 2.5 cm) but abundant and rise atop mounds of deeply lobed, medium green leaves. Bushy, compact and semi-evergreen, this hardy Geranium is reliable, easy to grow and provides long-lasting color in the garden. Attractive to butterflies but deer and rabbit resistant!
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My CollectionDiscover other useful guides on hardy geraniums
Best of the Best Hardy Geraniums
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 want to consider any of these top performing varieties in terms of ornamental qualities, ease of growth, hardiness, and disease and pest resistance.
Great Evergreen or Semi-Evergreen Hardy Geraniums
Some hardy geraniums are evergreen or semi-evergreen and make excellent groundcovers - so don't cut back their foliage in the fall! Don't confuse them with the lovely bedding plants called 'geraniums', which belong to the genus Pelargonium and are much more tender (very few are hardy). Hardy geraniums or cranesbills are perennial plants that belong to the genus Geranium and thrive in temperate climates with cool summers and cool summer nights.
Great Hardy Geraniums for Rock Gardens
The best hardy geranium 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 varieties.
Great Hardy Geraniums for Shade
There are plenty of shade-loving geranium species and cultivars which thrive in light or dappled shade. Some even flourish in spots that get more shade than sun, such as beneath a canopy of trees or shrubs and trees.
Great Hardy Geraniums for your Beds and Borders
Many hardy geraniums form large mounds or upright vase-shaped clumps that are perfect for beds and borders. Planted as specimens or in small groups, they are brilliant at filling in gaps, covering otherwise bare and boring soil, and most keep on flowering month after month.
Long-Blooming Hardy Geraniums for your Garden
Some hardy geraniums enjoy remarkably long flowering seasons, extending from late spring to late fall. The best varieties will flower continuously all summer long giving your garden cheerful color.
Garden Examples
Guide Information
Hardiness |
3 - 9
|
---|---|
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Geranium - Cranesbills |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Rabbit |
Attracts | Butterflies |
Landscaping Ideas | Ground Covers |
julietphotography / 123RF Stock Photo
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Guide Information
Hardiness |
3 - 9
|
---|---|
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Geranium - Cranesbills |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Rabbit |
Attracts | Butterflies |
Landscaping Ideas | Ground Covers |
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