Faced with unpredictable weather, a relatively short growing season,
and often less than ideal soil, Zone 4 gardeners welcome plants that
will cope with these adversities and still come up blooming.
This is a challenge for sure, but one candidate equal to the task is the
hardy perennial geranium, or cranesbill, as it is commonly called.
Perennial geraniums are native to
parts of Europe, Britain and North America.
In cultivation since the 1500’s, their popularity is increasing as
gardeners discover their many virtues and myriad uses in the garden.
Cranesbills, so-called because of
the shape of the seed head, are unfussy plants.
They grow equally well in sun or light shade, acid or alkaline soil, and in all
but the very dry and poorly drained sites.
They are virtually pest and disease free –even slugs and snails leave
them alone!
Feeding requirements are not excessive.
Organic matter plus a handful of bone meal added at planting time and again each
spring when new growth begins produce excellent results.
Plants do very well when they receive a deep soak once a week if the weather is
very hot and dry and less frequently during periods of good rainfall.
Cranesbills are tolerant of less
water making them good companions for ornamental grasses or wildflowers in
natural plantings.
At the other end of the scale, they will cope admirably with more consistent
watering.
When implanted with roses (a classic combination) or other
moisture-loving perennials and shrubs, they will weave their flowering stems
throughout the other plants while their foliage forms a weed suppressing ground
cover beneath.
Colors are soft, ranging from white
through pale to darker pinks into blues and deep purples.
Bloom begins in early summer, often giving a second flush within weeks of
cutting the plant back hard once the stems elongate and begin to flop.
Even without the second blooming, the new crop of fresh foliage remains
attractive throughout the season.
Foliage will vary according to variety, both in color and in form and frequently
takes on yellow, orange or red tints during the autumn months, prolonging the
cranesbill’s usefulness as a foil to late season flowers.
Cranesbills also increase fairly rapidly by spreading rhizomes just beneath
the soil surface making division possible without digging up the entire plant.
Even small divisions transplant with little fuss, putting on considerable
growth in the first season. Keep
that in mind when spacing your plants.
Cranesbills excel among spring
bulbs, where they rapidly hide dying bulb foliage.
Cranesbills are also good ground cover in light shade.
Mix with hostas, ferns or astilbes for a pretty woodland effect.
They are particularly attractive at the base of David Austin roses.
Add spiky iris and Lady’s mantle (alchemilla) for a beautiful perennial
grouping.
In late fall, dead foliage can either be cut back or left to form a protective
mulch during dormancy.
This hardy geranium comes in a size and color to suit any situation and your
enthusiasm for these reliable and versatile plants will increase with each
season.
For any questions you have on this article, or any topic of
concern, email us—or better yet, come by and talk to one of our professional
staff members.
Remember, Phelan Gardens is open year-round!
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