Hardy geraniums, which are also called cranesbills, are flexible, low-maintenance perennials that bloom for a long time and look great in flowerbeds.
People know that these plants can handle a lot of different situations and still grow well, which makes them a great choice for gardeners of all skill levels. To make your yard look better, here’s everything you need to know about growing Hardy Geraniums:
Why Choose Hardy Geraniums?
Long Blooming Season: Hardy geraniums bloom from late spring to early autumn, giving your garden a continuous colour show.
Different Colours and Shapes: They come in many colours, such as pink, purple, white, and blue. Their leaves can also be interesting, with shades of green, red, and bronze.
Low Maintenance: Once they are established, these plants can handle drought and are usually not bothered by pests or diseases.
Hardy geraniums can grow in a variety of garden settings, from borders to containers, and they do best in sun or light shade.
Attracts Pollinators: The flowers are great at bringing in bees, butterflies, and other good bugs.
How to Grow Hardy Geraniums
Hardy geraniums do best in soil that drains well and gets some shade to full sun. They can grow in a variety of soils, but they do best in soil that is fairly fertile and moist.
When to Plant: When it is cooler, plant in the spring or autumn.
Plants should be 12 to 18 inches apart to give them room to grow and air flow.
Depth: Make a hole that is as deep as the pot and twice as wide as the plant’s root ball.
Making sure the top of the root ball is level with the dirt, put the plant in the hole. Put dirt back in place and water it well.
Giving it water and mulch
To build a strong root system, keep the dirt moist all the time, especially during the first growing season. Once they are established, Hardy Geraniums can handle some drought, but they will do better if they are watered regularly during dry times. Put mulch around the plants to keep the soil wet and keep weeds from growing.
Pruning and Deadheading
Regularly remove the spent flowers to keep the plant growing. Cut the plants back to about half their size in late summer or early autumn to get a new flush of flowers and leaves. Some types may do better with a hard cutback after the first bloom time to help them flower again.
Fertilizing
Hardy Geraniums do not need a lot of food. To encourage healthy growth, use a balanced, slow-release fertiliser in the early spring. You can also work organic waste into the ground around the plant’s base.
Common Varieties of Hardy Geraniums
Geranium ‘Rozanne’: This plant is famous because it blooms nonstop all summer long. Its flowers are violet-blue with a white centre.
Geranium sanguineum, which is also called Bloody Cranesbill, has bright pink flowers and thin, cut leaves that turn red in the autumn.
Geranium macrorrhizum: This type has fragrant leaves and flowers that range in colour from pale pink to white. It is great for covering the ground in shady places.
Geranium psilostemon is a beautiful variety with bright magenta flowers and dark centres that make a striking contrast in the yard.
Pests and Diseases
Hardy geraniums do not have many major pests or diseases. On the other hand, they can sometimes have:
Powdery Mildew: You can get rid of this problem by letting air flow freely and not watering from above.
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Slugs and snails: You can get rid of these pests by putting up fences around the plants or using organic slug pellets.
Winter Care
Most Hardy Geraniums can handle snow and do not need much winter protection. In colder places, putting down a layer of mulch can help keep the roots from freezing.
Advantages of Growing Hardy Geraniums: They help stop soil loss on slopes and hillsides because they have thick roots.
Ground Cover: They do a great job of covering the ground, especially in shady spots where other plants might have trouble.
Seasonal Interest: Hardy Geraniums are beautiful from spring to autumn because they flower for a long time and have interesting leaves.
Conclusion
Hardy geraniums are a great choice for any flowerbed because they are colourful, hardy, and easy to take care of. These hardy plants will make your garden look better with little work, whether you want to fill in a border, cover the ground, or add pops of colour to pots. Have fun planting