Geranium Roots

Celebrated for their large quantities of violet-blue blooms, finely cut foliage, and ability to thrive in a variety of conditions, these Geraniums are time-loved, dependable perennials. Early to mid summer, Geranium magnicifum produces an impressive display of large, saucer-shaped flowers as it takes up its role as the perfect companion plant. Pretty enough on their own terms, but happy to mingle in, Geranium loves to fill in the gaps and complement the showier ornamentals that society loves like peonies, delphiniums, and hollyhocks. As a good neighbor, Geranium will stay relatively low, creating soft mounds and carpets of lush foliage that offer a second wave of color as its leaves transition to autumn hues of rich red, hazelnut, and gold in the fall.

• Hardy perennials for lasting color and charm
• Open blooms attract bees and butterflies without overwhelming the garden
• Deer and rabbit resistant, offering a peaceful coexistence with local wildlife
• Thrives in most soils, spreads gently, and fills gaps beautifully

Perennial Geraniums have graced gardens for centuries, their name comes from the Greek geranos, meaning “crane,” a nod to the crane-like shape of their seedpods. Purple Cranesbill Geranium is one of the most classic varieties, admired for its rich violet blooms and graceful habit that adds texture and color from late spring onward.

Rozanne Geraminum, discovered in 2000 by Rozanne Waterer and her husband in their English garden, has become an instant favorite. Launched at the Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show, it was named “the perennial of the Millenium" for its unmatched vigor and bloom power! Since then, Rozanne has been sold across the globe, and many gardeners have and still enjoy its great flowering performance each year.

It’s easy to understand why gardeners might feel confused when they first encounter a cranesbill geranium, Geranium magnificum, after years of growing the familiar bedding geranium Pelargonium × hortorum. For decades, Pelargoniums have been sold simply as “geraniums” in garden centers, window boxes, and patio pots with their bright clusters of red, pink, or white blooms and neat, upright form. When someone used to those tidy, long-blooming plants sees a true hardy geranium like Geranium magnificum, they may be surprised to find a sprawling, leafy perennial with delicate violet-blue flowers that appear for only a few weeks in early summer rather than all season long.

The two plants share a name and a family connection, but they differ dramatically in look, growth habit, and temperament. Geranium magnificum is a hardy, cold-tolerant perennial that forms mounded clumps and spreads gently in garden beds, while Pelargonium × hortorum is a tender, sun-loving tender perennial that is usually grown as an annual in most climates, thriving in containers and blooming continuously in warm weather. To the uninitiated, the cranesbill’s subtle beauty and natural form may seem unfamiliar compared to the bold, showy pelargoniums they associate with the name “geranium.” It is interesting to note that the confusion simply stems from history! Early European botanists grouped both under the same genus before realizing they were distinct, and the misnomer has endured ever since.

Planting hardy Geranium roots means investing in lasting beauty and reliability. Weaving through other perennials, brightening a shady nook, and complementing the larger show-stoppers is what this perennial Geranium does best, offering a relatively low-growing groundcover with natural elegance and minimal fuss.