Hardy Geraniums

Another group of perennials that bloom in the garden during May is the Geraniums. To avoid confusion with the popular tender plants in the genus Pelargonium, which also go by the common name Geranium, plants in the genus Geranium are sometimes called Hardy Geranium or Cranesbill.

Geraniums generally prefer cooler temperatures than I can provide for them here in central North Carolina, but there are a few that have proved to be satisfactory in this climate. Geraniums give their best performance here when planted in partial shade with moist, well-drained soils, although Geranium sanguineum can take more sun and less moisture and still perform adequately. The native wildflower, Geranium maculatum, blooms in April along the edge of the forest, but I didn't photograph them so they won't be featured in this post.

Bloody Cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum) is the species that's most commonly seen in southern gardens. It has attractive, finely textured, palmately lobed, glossy, dark green foliage which often turns red in late autumn and persists for most of the winter.

Foliage of Geranium sanguineum

The most common flower color is rich magenta, which I like, but some gardeners find it a bit loud.

Typical flower color of Geranium sanguineum

I have two other cultivars of Geranium sanguineum with more subdued flower colors. The first is named 'Prostratum' (var. striatum) and it has light pink flowers with darker veins on short compact plants that make a nice, low groundcover.

Close-up of Geranium sanguineum 'Prostratum'

Geranium sanguineum 'Prostratum' habit

The other cultivar of Geranium sanguineum growing in the garden is 'Album', with white flowers.

Close-up of Geranium sanguineum 'Album'

Another species that does well in the garden is Bigroot Geranium (Geranium macrorrhizum). Its flowers are smaller than those of Geranium sanguineum, but its leaves are much larger and fuzzy, releasing a medicinal odor when touched. It's also mostly evergreen, with some leaves taking on red and purple coloration during the winter.

Close-up of Geranium macrorrhizum

Foliage of Geranium macrorrhizum

Cranesbill, a reference to the beak-like fruits, is the other common name for plants in the genus Geranium.

Beak-like fruits of Geranium macrorrhizum

My favorite Geranium is a hybrid of G. himalayense × G. wallichianum 'Buxton's Variety' named 'Rozanne'. It's my favorite because its large, pretty blue flowers begin blooming in May and continue until frost shuts them down in November. It also has attractive lobed foliage, but unlike the others it's completely deciduous in our climate. It's also sterile, which partially explains its long bloom season. The others seed around a bit, not aggressively, but 'Rozanne' never does.

Close-up of Geranium 'Rozanne'

Foliage of Geranium 'Rozanne'