Cranesbills (Geranium spp.) comprise a large genus of super hardy herbaceous perennials. (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). These are not your annual geraniums which is the genus Pelargonium. They grow happily in partial sun to full shade and in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Cranesbills tolerate full sun in cool northerly areas. Plants may produce fewer flowers in deep shade.

Plants grow from basal rosettes of palmately lobed leaves. Cranesbills benefit from annual mulching and tolerate moderate drought periods due to thick rhizomes. Over 250 varieties species worldwide, popular varieties grow 12-18 inches high and others to 24 -30 inches in height Utilize them as groundcovers and low garden borders. Clip (deadhead) plants back in mid-season for a clean appearance and to stimulate additional flowering.

Most cranesbills easily spread in the garden via rhizomes. Some varieties may self-seed and some cultivars may not come true from seed. Clumps may be divided every 3-5 years.

Personal Favorites: ‘Rozanne’ geranium (G. ’Gerwat’), Bloody cranesbill (G. sanguineum), G. maculatum ‘Espresso’, G. maculatum ‘Espresso’, G. x cantabrigiense ‘Biokova’, G. clarkei x pratense ‘Brookside’, and G. macrorrhizum ‘Ingersen’s Variety’).

‘Rozanne’ (G. ‘Gerwat’ is a hybrid clump-forming geranium that typically grows in a mound to 20 inches tall x 24 inches wide. It blooms almost non-stop flowering throughout the growing season. Large, 5-petaled, violet-blue flowers (to 2.5 inches in diameter) with purple-violet veins and small white centers bloom profusely from late spring to early summer, generally into the fall in zones 7 and parts south. Its deeply cut holds up well to summer heat and humidity. Perennial Plant of the Year in 2008 and highly pest and disease resistant.

Bigroot geranium (Geranium macrorrhizum) is a rhizomatous semi-evergreen perennial that typically grows to 12 inches tall but spreads to 24 inches wide to form a thick, weed-resistant ground cover. Deeply lobed and rounded, grayish-green leaves (4-8″ long) have 5-7 lobes, with each lobe having 3 to 5 notches at the tip. Leaves are strongly aromatic when crushed. Leaves acquire attractive red tones in autumn. Long-lasting purple-pink flowers (to 1″ wide) with inflated dark red calyces bloom in umbel-like clusters above the foliage in late spring to early summer, often with some sporadic rebloom occurring throughout summer.\

Bloody cranesbill (G. sanguineum) is an herbaceous, clump-forming perennial that typically grows in a mound to 9-12 inches tall with white-hairy trailing stems eventually to 24-inches wide over time. The dark green summer foliage usually takes on a reddish look in the cool autumn season. ‘Ingwersen’s Variety’ has highly aromatic, bright green leaves that turn red and orange in fall. Its purplish red (mauve) buds open into soft pink, 5-petaled flowers with darker sepals and elongated stamens.

G. clarkei x pratense ‘Brookside’ is an award-winning cranesbill in English gardens covered with violet blue flowers with a white eye in June and July.  Brookside geranium grows to a height of 24 inches; cut back after first bloom to promote a second flush of late season flowers.