Cranesbill

Cranesbill

Hardy Geranium (Cranesbill, Cranesbill) is a group of 150 species of flowering plants within the genus Geranium. The plants are commonly referred to as Cranesbills in reference to the flowers of some species, which have hooked petals called "cranesbillian hooks". Geraniums are popular flowers for the garden because they have tough, evergreen leaves. They grow well in poor, dry soil.Bursting with flowers, hardy geraniums also feature a lush foliage which adds valuable texture in the garden. Incredibly tough, pest and disease resistant, they give a lot and require very little. Most hardy geraniums are ridiculously easy to grow. All they require is well-drained, fertile, and moist soil. A few species are even reliably drought tolerant in normal summer conditions.

Geranium

Don't confuse them with the lovely bedding plants called 'geraniums', which belong to the genus Pelargonium and are much more tender (very few are hardy). Hardy geraniums or cranesbills are perennial plants that belong to the genus Geranium and thrive in temperate climates with cool summers and cool summer nights. As would be expected, hardy geraniums are much tougher plants. Most are hardy to USDA zone 5 (-20°F or -29°C) and some are even more cold tolerant, such as Geranium pratense, which can withstand extremely low temperatures (up to -50°F or -45°C).Some hardy geraniums are evergreen or semi-evergreen and make excellent groundcovers - so don't cut back their foliage in the fall! Don't confuse them with the lovely bedding plants called 'geraniums', which belong to the genus Pelargonium and are much more tender (very few are hardy). Hardy geraniums or cranesbills are perennial plants that belong to the genus Geranium and thrive in temperate climates with cool summers and cool summer nights.

The best hardy geranium species and cultivars for rock gardens are those which require sharp drainage and gritty, rocky or sandy soil. If you are looking for a beautiful, low-maintenance, hardy geranium that will sail through the challenges of the seasons, you may want to consider these top performing vHardy geraniums forming low mounds of well-formed foliage and dainty flowers make superb flowering ground covers. Flowering at no more than 1 ft. (30cm) high, and often much shorter, they earn their place in the smallest garden. They are quite effective as underplantings for trees and shrubs, as well as choking weeds in garden areas that are difficult to cultivate.Many hardy geraniums form large mounds or upright vase-shaped clumps that are perfect for beds and borders. Planted as specimens or in small groups, they are brilliant at filling in gaps, covering otherwise bare and boring soil, and most keep on flowering month after month.