Growing Guide

How to Grow Hardy Geraniums

Hardy geraniums are one of the most reliable and versatile garden perennials you can grow. Often called cranesbills, they produce masses of colourful flowers from late spring through to autumn, while their attractive foliage provides interest long after the flowers have faded.

Unlike bedding geraniums (pelargoniums), hardy geraniums are true hardy perennials. Most varieties will happily survive winter outdoors and return larger and stronger each year with very little attention.

Whether you're looking to brighten a border, soften the edge of a path, fill difficult spaces or provide valuable ground cover, there is a hardy geranium to suit almost every garden. Given the right conditions and a little seasonal care, they will reward you with years of reliable colour.

Need to know

• Hardy geraniums are different from bedding geraniums (pelargoniums).

• Most varieties are fully hardy and return every year.

• Grow best in sun or partial shade depending on the variety.

• Excellent for borders, underplanting shrubs and containers.

• Attractive to bees and other pollinating insects.

• Many varieties flower for months if cut back after the first flush.

• Easy to divide and propagate.

• Require very little maintenance once established.

Choosing Your Plant

Choosing the Right Hardy Geranium

Hardy geraniums come in a wide range of sizes, flower colours and growth habits, making them suitable for almost every part of the garden.

Compact varieties are ideal for containers, edging paths and smaller gardens, while more vigorous varieties quickly spread to provide attractive ground cover beneath shrubs or between larger perennials.

Flower colours range from pure white and soft pink through to rich purple and deep blue. Many varieties also produce attractive autumn foliage, adding another season of interest after flowering has finished.

When choosing your plant, think about where it will grow, how much space you have available and whether you want a compact mound or a variety that naturally spreads over time.

Growing Conditions

Choosing the Right Position

Most hardy geraniums thrive in fertile, well-drained soil and are happy in full sun or partial shade, although individual varieties have their own preferences.

They are particularly useful because many perform exceptionally well beneath deciduous trees or around shrubs where other flowering plants can struggle.

Avoid permanently waterlogged soil, particularly during winter, and improve heavy ground with organic matter before planting where necessary.

Getting Started

Planting Your Hardy Geranium

Plant hardy geraniums at the same depth they were growing in their pot and water thoroughly after planting.

Incorporating compost or well-rotted organic matter into the soil before planting helps improve moisture retention while encouraging healthy root development.

Leave enough room for the mature spread of the variety, as many hardy geraniums naturally grow wider each year.

Ongoing Care

Watering

Water regularly during the first growing season while plants establish.

Once settled, most hardy geraniums become remarkably drought tolerant and require very little additional watering except during prolonged dry spells.

Container-grown plants will need watering more frequently, particularly during hot summer weather.

Healthy Growth

Feeding

Hardy geraniums are not particularly hungry plants, but they benefit from an annual application of compost or balanced fertiliser in spring.

Container-grown plants appreciate occasional liquid feeding during the growing season, especially if flowering begins to slow.

Avoid excessive feeding, as this can encourage lush leafy growth at the expense of flowers.

Keeping Plants Looking Their Best

Pruning and Cutting Back

Many hardy geraniums respond exceptionally well to being cut back after their first flush of flowers.

Although it can seem drastic, trimming the plant back by around half often encourages fresh foliage and a second display of flowers later in the season.

At the end of winter or in early spring, remove any old, damaged or dead growth before new shoots emerge.

Winter Care

Looking After Hardy Geraniums in Winter

Most hardy geraniums require very little winter protection and will happily remain outdoors throughout the colder months.

Leaving some foliage in place during winter can provide additional protection before tidying the plant in early spring.

A mulch of compost applied around the base of established plants helps improve the soil while protecting the roots during severe weather.

Troubleshooting

Common Problems

Poor flowering is often caused by too much shade or plants becoming overcrowded.

If growth begins to look untidy after flowering, don't be afraid to cut the plant back. Fresh foliage and often another flush of flowers will soon appear.

Slugs and snails may occasionally damage young spring growth, while waterlogged soil can weaken plants during winter. Choosing the right position and maintaining good drainage will prevent most problems.

From the grower

Alan's Top Tip

Don't be nervous about cutting hardy geraniums back after they finish their first flush of flowers. It might look drastic for a couple of weeks, but many varieties quickly produce fresh foliage and reward you with another beautiful display later in the summer.

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