Perennial geraniums or cranebills are so named because of the beak-like fruits that appear after flowering. Hardy geraniums or perennial geraniums are bushy and shrub-like mounds or trailing, ground-hugging weavers. They are excellent perennial plants for mass plantings. Flower colors range from suble to vibrant. Do not confuse them with the popular annual geraniums which are a member of another genus- Pelargonium.

Geraniums prefer full sun or part shade in cool or mild summer climates. In hottest regions, provide afternoon sun protection during the warmest months.

Hardy geraniums perfer moist, well-draining soil

USDA zone 4, zone 5, zone 6, zone 7, zone 8, zone 9. Zones vary by variety.

Varies from May through September with most perennial geraniums blooming June through August. See individual listings.

After you work in organic matter, prepare a hole that is twice the diameter of the plant ball. Loosen any roots that are encircling the root ball, replant at same depth as originally planted. Back fill with the enriched soil. Water well to settle soil. Fertilize hardy geraniums with a time-release fertilizer in spring. Apply a thin top dress of bark mulch to improve water retention but do not cover stems. Divide in spring every four to five years or when bloom production noticably declines. You can also transplant rooted portions from the edge of the geranium clump in spring.

Alchemillas mollis, Geum, Paeonia

X Cantabrigiense aomatic carpeting geranium with light green, deeply divided foliage.
Cincereum (gray leaf geranium) low growing species with small, deeply divided, slightly tufted, grey green foliage with 1.5 " diameter cup-shaped flowers with dark veins conveging to form an eye.
Clarkei Foliage is deeply divided into narrow sections and from June onward the plants are ocvered with large, cup-shaped flowers.
Dalmaticum dwarf ground-covering perennial with small, dark, glossy leaves. The aromatic foliage turns red in autumn.
Endressii vigorous, light green almost evergreen foliage divided into broad sections.
Himalayense (G. grandiflorum) finely-cut foliage that turns orange and red in autumn and covered with 1.5-2 inch flowers for 4-6 weeks during summer months.
Macrorrhizum one of the easiest geraniums to grow. Highly aromatic, orbicular, deeply divided, mid green foliage.
Maculatum rich green, deeply divided foliage with dark-veined flowers with heart-shaped petals. Flowers for several weeks in May.
X Magnificum deeply cut, hairy-textured, dark green foliage that turns red in autumn. Violet-blue flowers wth darker veining on heart-shaped petals.
X Oxonianum vigorous species with slightly glossy, deeply divided, broadly-segmented leaves. Slightly cupped flowers with heart-shaped petals.
Phaeum (Mourning Widow) bushy, clump forming erennial plant with small, nodding flowers. Prefers damp, part to full shade
Pratense (Meadow Cranesbill) tall species with fine-cut leaves and large saucer-shaped flowers.
Psilostemon (G. Armenum) tall, upright perennial plants with very large, dark green, deeply divided, palm-shaped leaves.
Renardii rounded, velvety, sage-textured foliage. Prefers full sun.
Sanguinemium (Bloody Cranesbill) low, bushy geranium with deep-cut, smooth-edged foliage that turns red in autumn. One of the easiest species to grow. Heat tolerant and prefers full sun.
Sylvaticum tall, early-flowering secieis with deeped-divided, foliage and 1 inch saucer-shaped flowers prefers moisture retentive soil.
Wlassovianum bushy perennial with soft grayish hairy leaves for the wild flower garden
Hybrids are crosses of the above species.