Hardy Geraniums

For many people, the name geranium conjures up pictures of neat borders, hanging baskets, and clay pots filled with large clusters of brilliant red, white or pink blossoms.  Actually these plants are not true geraniums at all; their scientific genus name is Pelargonium.

True geraniums are hardy woodland plants with a graceful, mounded form which can be grown in shade or sun. The name geranium comes from the Greek word for crane, which refers to the inner, "beaked" part of the flower. The flowers are small, one half to two inches across. They come in a wide range of colors from deep purple.blue to pale whitish.pink. Most of the flowers are suffused with darker veins, a distinct characteristic of true geraniums.

The leaves of true geraniums are also distinctive - round in outline, usually five-lobed, and indented nearly to the base of the leaf. Plants can be as short as four inches or as tall as two feet depending on the species. Some are spreading ground covers, good for rock gardens. Others go well at the front of a flower border where the rounded form looks best.

There are over four hundred species of geraniums, but only about thirty are cultivated and available to home gardeners. Local nurseries and mail-order firms which specialize in perennials can provide gardeners a choice of hardy geraniums. Some excellent hardy geranium species include:

• Geranium sanguineum which grows from six to twelve inches tall. A clump-forming perennial, it is ideal for partially sunny locations.
• G. macrorrhizum is a ground cover type which works nicely in the front of a flower border.
• G. X magnificum grows from eight to twelve inches tall and displays beautiful, purple.blue flowers.

Most varieties of true geraniums bloom in late spring to early summer although there are a few later flowering types. In some species, the foliage dies back in summer. Most species prefer a partially shaded site and are best grown on well-drained soil rich in organic matter.

Geraniums are easily propagated in spring by seed or division, or by stem cuttings in summer. Except for leaf spot and rust diseases, they are practically pest free.