March Plant of the Month

Geranium (Cranesbill)

Geraniums are one of the most versatile perennials that you can use in the landscape. They are members of the large Geraniaceae family and as such are adaptable to a variety of niche situations. With over 300 species there are cultivars available in an array of sizes ranging from 10 cm delicacies to 120 cm behemoths. Flowers come in shades of white, pink, magenta, blue and lavender/purple and the foliage is often a showstopper in itself, frequently fragrant with wonderful lacy incised edging and interesting variegation. Most Geranium prefer a moist but not wet location in sun to partial shade, but will tolerate a dryer location once established. Flowering will usually be better with more sunlight but there are species that are native to a woodland clearing type setting so this explains the versatility. Sun or shade, moist to dry, compact to large - there is a Geranium that will work for your design challenge. They do exceptionally well in containers, naturalized as groundcovers and as the textual foil to linear grasses or stocky sedums. A simple mid season shearing will refresh any foliage that is less than pristine. The common name of Cranesbill refers to their seed pods which resemble the beak of those remarkable and long lived birds. Do not confuse the perennial Geranium (hardy in zones 4-9) with their showy but non-hardy cousins the Pelargonium which unfortunately are also known as geraniums to many of the gardening public. True hardy Geranium are a wonderful genus to explore and utilize in both commercial and residential design situations they are generally considered to be pest free are even said to be both deer and rabbit resistant. Here are just a few of the vast variety of selections available.

G. cinereum 'Purple Pillow'
G. maculatum 'Elizabeth Ann'
G. sanguineum 'Max Frei'

G. cinereum 'Purple Pillow'
One of the smallest selections available but this plant packs an amazing punch into a small package. Lovely compact mounds of greyish green foliage reach a height of only 12 cm, but are nicely incised and turn a lovely coppery bronze with the colder weather in the autumn. The deep magenta of the flowers is the main attraction of this selection, the colour is unusual and each bloom is further enhanced with a dark eye and lovely dark veins. The peak of flowering is late spring through early summer but bloom does continue sporadically through until frost. This species prefers a more well drained site near the front of the border, or in containers.

G. maculatum 'Elizabeth Ann' (PP # 11252)
This selection has a relaxed informal appeal, forming upright, loosely mounding, clumps of chocolate brown foliage with a height and spread of 45 cm. Flowers are a light blue lavender and are evident from early spring until early summer, with a light rebloom in the fall. But the foliage carries the show for the season, the deeply cut leaves can be up to 14 cm across and act as a wonderful colour contrast.

G. oxonianum 'Southcombe Double'
Bright pink double flowers make this selection stand out from the crowd. Blooming from July through September is also an unusual attribute for Geraniums. The foliage is less incised than some other species but is still nicely lobed and attractive. This variety will reach a height and spread of 30 - 40 cm and prefers a full sun location.

G. sanguineum 'Max Frei'
Geranium sanguineum are known as the Bloody Cranesbill for deep red colouration of their foliage in fall and early spring. 'Max Frei' is an exceedingly popular selection in a deservedly often planted species. The foliage is tight and compact with clumps reaching about 30 cm in height and a spread of about 45 cm. The abundance of carmine rose flowers appear continuously from early spring through mid summer, while the foliage adds a quiet buffering effect.

G. sanguineum 'Striatum'
Still often referred to by an old name of G. sanguineum 'Lancastriense'. This long blooming selection is noted for the size of the soft salmon pink flowers which have prominent red veins and a deep pink eye. The mounding plants are very floriferous and have deeply cut foliage which spreads to about a metre in width while reaching a height of only about 15 cm. Prefers a sunny location, can handle part shade but with reduced flowering, and can be quite drought tolerant once established.