Great Hardy Geraniums for your Beds and Borders

Best Hardy Geraniums

Bursting with flowers, hardy geraniums also feature lush foliage, which adds valuable texture to 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 need is moderately fertile, well-drained soil. A few species are even reliably drought-tolerant in normal summer conditions.

Many hardy geraniums form large mounds or upright vase-shaped clumps 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.

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!

Guide Information

Hardiness	3 - 9
Plant Type	Perennials
Genus	Geranium
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Maintenance	Low
Water Needs	Average
Soil Type	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics	Showy
Tolerance	Drought, Deer, Rabbit
Attracts	Butterflies
Landscaping Ideas	Beds And Borders

Great Hardy Geraniums for your Beds and Borders

Geranium ‘Brookside’ (Cranesbill)

Geranium ‘Brookside’ is a highly sought-after border plant that effortlessly combines elegance and dependability. Its dense mounds of deeply cut, dark green leaves provide the perfect backdrop for the profusion of violet-blue blossoms. Drought tolerant and resistant to deer and rabbits, it attracts butterflies and adds long-lasting color to any garden.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Geranium ‘Elke’ (Cranesbill)

Geranium ‘Elke’ is a captivating perennial known for its extended blooming period. Its striking pink flowers, with a white eye and delicate outer edge, face upward and create a vibrant display from late spring to late summer. The finely dissected, dark green leaves provide an attractive backdrop and turn bronzy-red in the fall. This resilient and easy-to-grow Geranium adds long-lasting color to any garden.

Hardiness	3 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	10" - 1' (25cm - 30cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Geranium ‘Johnson’s Blue’ (Cranesbill)

‘Johnson’s Blue’ is a highly sought-after geranium variety, known for its beautiful blue flowers. This compact plant forms dense mounds of finely cut leaves and produces abundant clusters of saucer-shaped sky blue flowers from late spring to midsummer. Its attractive foliage remains appealing all season, and in fall, it transitions to a vibrant display of red and gold. Easy to grow and low maintenance, this reliable geranium is resistant to pests and diseases.

Hardiness	4 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid)
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Geranium ‘Mavis Simpson’ (Cranesbill)

Renowned for its extended flowering period, Geranium ‘Mavis Simpson’ is a semi-evergreen perennial that spreads gracefully. It showcases an abundance of perfectly rounded, soft, shell pink flowers with intricate darker veins and a white center. These delightful blooms, held on long stems above the finely cut, silver-tinted leaves, appear in great profusion from late spring to late fall. With its well-behaved nature, ‘Mavis Simpson’ is a superb addition to perennial borders and makes an excellent ground cover.

Hardiness	6 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)

Geranium ‘Orion’ (Cranesbill)

Renowned for its striking color, abundant blooms, and prolonged flowering season, Geranium ‘Orion’ is a vigorous spreading perennial. Its vibrant mauve-blue flowers, measuring 2 inches across, feature iridescent purple veins and a small white eye. Held on slender stems above deeply lobed mid-green leaves, these rare blue blossoms bring a captivating allure to any garden.

Hardiness	4 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Geranium ‘Patricia’ (Cranesbill)

Geranium ‘Patricia’ is an award-winning Cranesbill known for its prolonged flowering period. It showcases striking magenta-pink cup-shaped flowers with black star-shaped centers, held above deep green leaves. Blooming from late spring to midsummer, this drought-tolerant and reliable perennial adds vibrant, long-lasting color to the garden. It also attracts butterflies while deterring deer and rabbits.

Hardiness	4 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Geranium Rozanne (Cranesbill)

Geranium Rozanne is an exceptional and unmatched perennial with an extended flowering period. Its stunning blue flowers, adorned with purple veins and white centers, bring unparalleled beauty to gardens, patios, or balconies. With its robustness and continuous blooming, it provides months of vibrant color from late spring to the first frost.

Hardiness	5 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Geranium 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.

Hardiness	4 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Seasons	Summer (Early, Mid)
Height	9" - 2' (23cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Geranium pratense ‘Double Jewel’ (Cranesbill)

Hardy, versatile, with charming double blossoms, Geranium pratense ‘Double Jewel’ is highly desirable. It forms dense, spreading mounds of deeply-lobed, dark green leaves, topped with abundant and very attractive, double, white star-shaped blossoms with purple-pink hearts from late spring to midsummer. Short and compact, let it spill over the edges and rock walls, and you will get an envious wow from your neighbors!

Hardiness	4 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Early, Mid)
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Geranium pratense ‘Mrs Kendall Clark’ (Meadow Cranesbill)

Renowned for its beauty, Geranium pratense ‘Mrs. Kendall Clarke’ is a garden favorite. It forms dense mounds of dark green, lobed leaves and showcases abundant soft lavender-blue blossoms with delicate white veining from late spring to early summer. This tall and hardy perennial adds charm when mingling with other plants. It is drought-tolerant and attracts butterflies while deterring deer.

Hardiness	4 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Geranium 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.

Hardiness	4 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid)
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Geranium 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.

Hardiness	4 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height	3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)
Spread	3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)

Geranium renardii (Caucasian Cranesbill)

Mostly valued for its handsome foliage which consists of sage-green velvety, lobed, finely wrinkled leaves, Geranium renardii or Renard Geranium also produces lovely pure white flowers marked with fascinating violet stripes in late spring or early summer. Compact, its foliage remains attractive throughout the growing season and makes it useful as a low ground cover. Turning yellow in fall, it creates a pretty contrast.

Hardiness	6 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early)
Height	6" - 1' (15cm - 30cm)
Spread	6" - 1' (15cm - 30cm)

Geranium sanguineum (Bloody Cranesbill)

Bloody Cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum) is an impressive perennial with spreading rhizomes. Its large, magenta-pink cup-shaped flowers feature dark veining and bloom from late spring to late summer. The decorative mound of palmately lobed leaves turns blood-red in fall, adding to its allure. This hardy Geranium is low-maintenance and perfect for mass plantings, providing long-lasting color in any garden.

Hardiness	3 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Geranium x magnificum (Purple Cranesbill)

Award-winning Geranium x magnificum, or Purple Cranesbill, is a stunning addition to the garden. Its large, saucer-shaped flowers in rich violet-blue with prominent veining create a magnificent sight in early to mid-summer. Coupled with its velvety, deeply-lobed foliage that turns red in fall, this geranium deserves a dedicated spot in any garden.

Hardiness	5 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Early, Mid)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Discover other useful guides on hardy geraniums

Best of the Best Hardy Geraniums Read More

Great Evergreen or Semi-Evergreen Hardy Geraniums Read More

Great Hardy Geraniums as Ground Covers Read More

Great Hardy Geraniums for Rock Gardens Read More

Great Hardy Geraniums for Shade Read More

Great Rose Companion Plants: Geraniums Read More

Garden Examples

A Fabulous Perennial Planting Idea

A Fragrant Garden Haven Idea

A Fragrant Garden Retreat Idea

A Lovely Spring Border Idea with Peonies

A Wonderful Summer Border Idea with Easy-to-Grow Plants

A Pretty Duo with Clivia and Geranium

Compare All Geranium (Cranesbill)

Compare Now

Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas

Geranium (Cranesbill)

Guides with

Geranium (Cranesbill)

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.