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Geranium ‘Orion’ (Cranesbill)

Hardy Geranium 'Orion', Crane's Bill 'Orion'

AGM Award
Geranium Orion, Hardy Geranium Orion, Crane's Bill Orion, Award geranium, AGM Geranium, Best geraniums, Best groundcovers, blue geranium, violet geranium

Noted for its depth of color, size of bloom, and length of the 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 hardy geraniums and rare blue-colored flowers, it is an ideal element of the perennial border and perfect ground cover under lightly shaded trees and shrubs.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
  • A prolific bloomer, this hardy geranium blooms for months from late spring to late summer.
  • Grows up to 24-30 in. tall (60-75 cm) and 24-36 in. wide (60-90 cm).  Will need support for the first couple of seasons until clumps become more self-supporting.
  • Performs best in full sun or part shade in moderately fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Full sun in mild summer gardens, morning sun, and afternoon shade in hot summers. Though it prefers moist, well-drained soil, it will also tolerate periods of drought once established. Deer and rabbit resistant.
  • Great for beds and borders, underplanting shrubs and roses, excellent ground cover, and lovely addition to cottage gardens.
  • Requires very little maintenance and is generally not subject to serious pest or disease issues. May be occasionally affected by vine weevil, capsid bug, sawflies, and powdery mildews.
  • Remove flowered stems and old leaves to encourage the production of fresh leaves and flowers.
  • Propagate by division between early autumn and early spring or cut back plants after flowering in summer, then divide, replant, and water well.

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 2B, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Geraniaceae
Genus Geranium
Common names Cranesbill
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late),
Height 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 36" (90cm)
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 Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’ (Cranesbill)
Geranium carolinianum (Carolina Geranium)
Geranium viscosissimum (Sticky Purple Geranium)
Geranium clarkei ‘Kashmir White’ (Cranesbill)
Geranium sanguineum ‘Max Frei’ (Bloody Cranesbill)
Geranium x oxonianum ‘Miss Heidi’ (Cranesbill)

Recommended Companion Plants

Anthemis tinctoria ‘E.C. Buxton’ (Golden Marguerite)
Dierama pulcherrimum (Angel’s Fishing Rod)
Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Firetail’ (Mountain Fleece)

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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.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 2B, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Geraniaceae
Genus Geranium
Common names Cranesbill
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late),
Height 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 36" (90cm)
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 Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Geranium (Cranesbill)
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