Hardy Geraniums, the second wave comes into flower
I posted here about the hardy Geraniums that start flowering in my garden during the second half of April. Those are the early ones. This post is about the second wave of Geraniums that start flowering during the first two weeks in May.
First we have Geranium renardii, low growing with very distinctive foliage . The leaves are a dull sage green, heavily textured on the surface, while underneath they are much paler. In winter the leaves turn a golden yellow. The flowers are white with heavy, deep purple veining and the petals have a distinct space between each of them.
Habitat:
Originated in the Caucasus, the area between the Black and Caspian seas which contains parts of Russia as well as Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan which border on Turkey and Iran. It is a rugged landscape so this Geranium can survive happily in poor, rocky soil. It loves sun.
Geranium renardii
Then we have the intense deep blue of Geranium sylvaticum ‘Amy Doncaster’, one of the later flowering sylvaticums. This one is a very distinctive and the white eye provides a lovely contrast.
Habitat:
All G. sylvaticums grow naturally in meadow land so they do not like to dry out.
Geranium sylvaticum 'Amy Doncaster'
This is Geranium palmatum. A few years ago I couldn’t keep it outside, now it seeds all over the place. Its leaves are large, glossy and divided and grow from a short central rosette. There are large, deep pink flowers in abundance. It is perennial but can be short lived – though my original plant is 7 years old!
Habitat:
It originates from the island of Madeira in the Mediterranean. It loves sun and dry conditions.
Geranium palmatum
Geranium versicolor has small flowers and the plant is fairly low and sprawling. Although small the flowers are attractive , but it does seed extravagantly so can become annoying if you are short of space. I also have a white cultivar which isn’t so much of a problem.
Habitat:
Originates from Italy, Sicily and parts of Greece, Albania and adjoining countries. It’s at home in both in woodland and more open, rocky areas. Sun or shade.
Geranium versicolor
Geranium versicolor 'Snow White'
There are lots of G. x oxonianum cultivars. Geranium ‘Claridge Druce’ is one of earliest and most vigorous – a bit of a thug really but the flowers are large, heavily veined and numerous so it’s worth it as long as it is controlled.
Habitat:
Geranium x oxonianum is a natural hybrid (that’s what the “x” before oxonianum means) between G. versicolor above and G. endressii. This parentage accounts for its general strength and toughness. It likes sun or shade and is not picky about conditions.
Geranium x oxonianum 'Claridge Druce'
Geranium cinereum ‘Ballerina’. If you want a compact, low growing Geranium this is a good example. Small round leaves and large flowers sitting well above the foliage. Beautiful heavy purple veining and a dark eye.
Habitat:
G. cinereum originates in the Pyrenees, Lebanon, Syria, the Balkan Peninsula (Greece, Albania etc) and Turkey. Loves sun.
Geranium cinereum 'Ballerina'
All the above are perennial for me. Geranium bohemicum is biennial but seeds very freely. It is a low sprawling plant with tiny, deep purple flowers. As the plant is fairly small I find seeding causes no problems. Not strictly a hardy Geranium but I’m including it anyway!
Habitat:
Originates from East and Central Europe to Southern Scandinavia.
Geranium bohemicum
Over the next 2-3 weeks the last of my Geraniums will start flowering. Hopefully I’ll do a final post showing a few of these later ones, just to complete the picture.
11 comments
So glad I saw this post, I have been hunting for ages to discover what I recognised as a Geranium and possibly versicolour( from the petal shapes), but was white, that grows like a weed everywhere in my garden, but wasn’t a plant that I had bought! Now I know! Thank you!
Hardy Geraniums are one of my favourites too, and a favourite of mine is Geranium himilayan plenum.
Zoe: Glad I could help. Amazing how many blog photos can solve a mystery
I lost that double Geranium a couple of years ago – must replace it.
Hi, thanks for coming by my blog and enjoyed your geranium post. I love them all! Wondering where in the south east you are gardening as I come from Sussex originally and now residing in Bath!
Emma: It was a pleasure to visit. I’m sure I’ll be back. Thanks for coming here.
I’m near Watford in Hertfordshire.
Love your geraniums, they put on such a good show don’t they
Judith: Yes very reliable as well as showy – and easy to grow!
You have some beautiful varieties of hardy Geraniums in your garden EG. I think Geranium cinereum ‘Ballerina’ is my favorite with her dark veining on those lavender pink petals.
Racquel; Yes ‘Ballerina’ is lovely – a very intense colouration.
I love all your hardy geraniums. I only have a few here but find they are so easy to grow. I must look for some more. I never knew there were so many!
Tina: There are lots but I’ve not got room for them all – which is a pity
That’s quite a collection. That reminds me, I had a couple hardy geraniums at one point, I guess I lost them. I probably let them dry out. I’m not good about keeping things well watered, but I really liked a couple of them, I ought to try again. Thanks for the inspiration.
Megan: Give them a try again – the Mediterranean ones seem to like dry conditions – which saves on the watering!
I have always admired these “wild” kind of geraniums. You have a great selection and each is very special and beautiful. It must be wonderful to have them in the garden. This is one plant which absolutely refuses to grow in my climate, not even in pots. I am glad to see your delightful collection.
Titania: You may have no hardy Geraniums but you do have other plants of which I am very envious
Your geranium collection is impressive! With what other plants do you grow them and what do you do about the space they leave after blooming?
Karen: I’ve replied in a comment on your blog.
I admire your beautiful geraniums. I am in awe that you know the name of each one!
HM: That comes from being a plant collector and having a bad memory – I label everything. I don’t want to duplicate
All of your geraniums are so pretty. They are not hardy for me in my garden. I used to grow all sorts of different scented geraniums and I would winter them over in the living room.
Wonderful to see all the different varieties you grow.
Sherry
I’m amazed to see that many varieties of geranium. In our climate, even the commonest ones are difficult to grow. You have a stunning collection. The patterns on the petals are really beautiful.
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