Geranium

Botanical/Latin
   Geranium

Pronunciation
   jer-ay-nee-um

Common Name
   Cranesbill

Hardiness zone range
   5

General Comments
These hardy cranesbills, are the true geraniums and should not be confused with the tender Pelargoniums, that are grown as house plants or for summer bedding. They are becoming increasingly popular, due to the wide range of types, long season of interest and ease of culture.

They have rounded, disc shaped flowers and attractive lobed or dissected leaves . The time of flowering varies with the different selections, but most will begin flowering in early summer and often continue with renewed bloom, until the arrival of frost.

Light Preference
Sun to partial shade

Culture & Care
Easy to grow and sturdy performers, they grow best in light loamy, well drained soils, that are reasonably fertile and provide a cool root run in hot summer weather. This can be enhanced by adding a little compost or other humus media at planting time and mulching afterwards to retain moisture and insulate the roots. A light dressing of a well balanced fertilizer, applied in spring, will help to keep then lush and vigorous. After flowering, trim off the dead heads and any old leaves, this will encourage fresh growth and renewed flowering.

Uses
The attractive foliage and wide array of colors and forms, allow them to be used almost anywhere in the garden, except in wet, soggy positions.

They are ideal plants for lightly shaded, woodland gardens or small town gardens that are shaded by tall buildings. Several forms naturalize well and are drought tolerant, coping well with the challenges of dry shade.

The smaller stockier forms are great on raised beds, in containers or in rock gardens, they are also good for spilling out from the sides of steps or alongside paths and edges of borders.

The ground covering types, form colonies and drifts of long lasting color and many turn glorious shades of red, amber and gold, as the days shorten and nights become colder in Fall.

Another interesting feature, is that deer and rabbits seem to find them unpalatable, so they will usually leave them untouched.

Background
The name Geranium comes from the Greek word geranos which means “crane” and refers to the beak-like resemblance of the seed capsules. The common name Cranesbill is from the same origin.

The unfortunate confusion with Pelargoniums (often commonly called Geraniums), began in 1738, when it was proposed that they be split into the two distinct groups. Linnaeus, the Swedish naturalist and father of modern taxonomy, decided not to do this and since Pelargoniums became hugely popular as bedding and house plants in Victorian times, the common name “Geranium” was widely used. The true Geraniums, were not as popular and well known, so the confusion which still lingers and exists today, remained and was perpetuated. If any doubt exists in conversations, it is usually best to clarify the situation, by mentioning that these are either Cranesbills or that they are the true hardy Geraniums.

Splendor Suggestions
Small compact varieties like Geranium cinerium ‘Ballerina’, make excellent permanent container plants, they can be grown in almost any type of container, as long as it has a generous drainage hole and free draining compost. Terracotta pots (or modern very realistic plastic look-a-likes), wooden window boxes or as frequently seen in Europe, old sinks or stone troughs, all make suitable containers. These can be positioned, on shady parts of decks or patios, to make attractive plantings where the exquisite little pink flowers with purple veins, are elevated nearer to eye level.

In winter, when the soil mass is likely to freeze solid, the container will have to be moved into protection, then relocated again, each spring, to grow and flourish for another season.

Companion Plants
Try them with the blue and white forms of Campanulas (Bell flower), the frothy flowers of Heucherellas and the glorious little Corydalis ‘China Blue’.

Effective and colorful foliage combinations, can be created with Heucheras, Euphorbia ’Chameleon’, Alchemila mollis, and the attractive grass-like foliage of Carex ‘Evergold’ and Liriope.