Vibrant, beautiful and easy to grow and propagate, there are so many reasons to grow hardy geraniums.
Plenty thrive in shade, too. These kinds of plants will do well anywhere the soil is mostly fertile and not too dry or wet, like at the base of a north-facing wall or in the dappled shade of deciduous trees.
When it comes to planting ground cover geraniums should be at the top of your list. With their low spreading habit these hardy plants make excellent dense carpets that suppress weeds. I’ve used different types of geraniums in my own garden for years and find them to be beautiful, versatile, and easy to care for. In this article, I’ll explain why geraniums are such great ground cover options and provide tips for using them effectively in your landscape.
An Overview of Geraniums as Ground Covers
Geraniums comprise a large genus of over 400 species of flowering plants Some are annual while others are perennial. The perennial geraniums are the ones best suited for ground cover use, as they form mats of foliage that expands each year. Unlike invasive ground covers, they spread at a moderate and manageable rate
There are many geranium species and cultivars to choose from, with variations in leaf texture, size, and color. Flowers also differ, though pink, purple, blue, and white blooms are common. Foliage may be evergreen in warmer climates but semi-evergreen to deciduous in colder zones. Mature plant size ranges from 6 inches to 3 feet tall depending on the variety.
No matter the species, geraniums thrive in average soil and flourish with minimal care. Their adaptability makes them ideal problem solvers for tricky areas in the garden.
Top Reasons Geraniums Shine as Ground Covers
Weed suppression – The dense, low foliage of geraniums shades out competing weeds. Once established, they form a thick mat that blocks light from reaching weed seeds.
Erosion control – Geranium’s fibrous root system helps hold soil in place on slopes and prevents erosion.
Versatile growing conditions – Geraniums tolerate a wide range of light, moisture, and soil types. Most do well in full sun to part shade.
Long bloom season – Flowering lasts for months, from spring through fall. Deadheading prolongs bloom.
Pest and disease resistance – Geraniums have few serious problems with pests or disease, especially when provided good growing conditions.
Deer and rabbit resistance – The foliage and flowers are rarely touched by deer or rabbits.
Low maintenance – Other than occasional watering while establishing, geraniums are easy care once settled in.
Spread can be controlled – Unlike some aggressive ground covers, geraniums are easy to keep in bounds by removing stray runners.
Tips for Growing Geraniums as Ground Cover
Here are some tips to help your geranium ground cover thrive:
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Select the right species or cultivar for your growing zone, site conditions, and mature spread size desired. Consult with local nurseries for recommendations.
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Space plants 12-18 inches apart to allow for ample spreading. You can also propagate your own plants by division.
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Prepare soil by mixing in several inches of organic compost to improve drainage and nutrients. Good drainage is key.
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Water regularly the first 2-3 months until plants are established. Mature plants have moderate water needs.
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Apply organic mulch around plants to conserve moisture and discourage weeds. Replenish as needed.
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For fuller coverage faster, shear plants by 1/3 after flowering ends to encourage bushy new growth.
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Remove faded blooms and occasional errant runner plants that spread beyond the desired boundaries.
Best Geranium Varieties for Ground Cover
Here are some top geranium varieties to consider:
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Geranium sanguineum – Evergreen foliage with pretty magenta blooms. Grows 8-12 inches tall.
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Geranium x cantabrigiense – Semi-evergreen; flowers June to September. Creates 8-12 inch tall mounds.
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Geranium macrorrhizum “Bevan’s Variety” – Evergreen; long blooming period. Grows 18 inches tall. Spreads faster than most.
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Geranium renardii – Gray-green foliage has unique maple leaf shape. White flowers. Grows 6-8 inches tall.
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Geranium ‘Rozanne’ – 2008 Plant of the Year. Blue flowers with white centers from May to October. Grows 18 inches tall.
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Geranium ‘Ann Folkard’ – Golden foliage with magenta flowers. Grows 12-15 inches tall.
Enjoy a Beautiful, Low-Maintenance Garden
If you’re looking for hardy, carefree ground covers that offer multiple seasons of interest, it’s tough to beat geraniums. Their pretty blooms and attractive foliage provide year-round beauty. Establish plants properly, and you’ll reap the rewards of a lush carpet that chokes out weeds and prevents erosion with little effort required. Give geraniums a try – they just may become your new favorite way to cover ground in the garden.
Geranium clarkei ‘Kashmir Purple’
Though it’s more lavender blue than purple, it turns purple around the white eye, and the veins are purple as well. This plant promptly spreads and is great for shady spots where you need something strong and vigorous to cover the ground.
Height x spread: 45cm x 1.5m.
The magenta flowers are shiny and bright, with a burgundy center that stands out. They bloom all summer, and then the leaves turn fiery. It’s a less showy version of the dramatic Geranium psilostemon, which is big and floppy, and it likes a few hours of sun.
H x S: 70cm x 70cm.
The lavender-blue flowers have reddish-purple centers and veins of the same color that face outward for a bright show. After the first May/June flush, it will repeat in September. ‘Gravetye’ makes good ground cover, filling the spaces around mature shrubs.
H x S: 30cm x 60cm.
An adaptable geranium, it’s a good plant for dry shade. The leaves are shiny and bright, and the mauve-pink flowers with a pale center bloom all summer long, from June to August, when many other plants in the shade are done. It is clump forming and often self-seeds.
H x S: 40cm x 60cm.
Smoky purple flowers with slightly swept-back petals and a pale centre sit atop the vertical stems. Cut back after the June flush, then water well for a second crop of blooms and foliage. Happy in dry shade, its bright foliage forms a fresh green mound in spring.
H x S: 60cm x 30cm.
Its flowers are unique because the petals don’t overlap. They look like a ring of five big bluish-violet teardrops with bright purple veins. The gold-tinted, finely dissected young foliage matures to rich green as the June-to-August flowering begins. Shade will limit its natural vigour.
H x S: 40cm x 75cm.
Great plant with big lavender-blue flowers that have red-purple veins and white eyes. It won the RHS trial of hundreds of hardy geraniums and was named the winner. These open all summer over loose, spreading mounds of dissected leaves. It’s great in the shade of mature roses.
H x S: 80cm x 80cm.
The clear blue, white-eyed blooms open repeatedly from June to October on cascading shoots. ‘Rozanne’ flowers most prolifically in part shade – in darker spots it sprawls more and flowers less. Great in a pot or as ground cover, it shoots in among its neighbours.
H x S: 30cm x 60cm.
In the spring, its golden leaves light up dark spots. In June and July, its magenta flowers turn the leaves green. Subsequent new leaves are also golden. It’s similar to ‘Ann Folkard’ but better behaved and less rampageous, with spreading shoots from a tight crown.
H x S: 50cm x 1.2m.
Geranium x oxonianum ‘Wargrave Pink’
The pink flowers of ‘Wargrave Pink’ have an unusual, slightly bluish caste. When they’re done flowering in early summer, cut them down to the ground and give them a lot of water to get a second flush later in the season. It is robust enough to thrive in the shade of mature shrubs or shrub roses.
H x S: 60cm x 90cm.
Hardy Geraniums: Amazing Perennials with Up to 4 Seasons of Interest! // Garden Answer
FAQ
Can you use geraniums as ground cover?
What are the disadvantages of geraniums?
Do geraniums come back every year if planted in the ground?
Do geraniums do better in pots or in the ground?
Are geraniums a good ground cover?
Hardy 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.
Are geraniums easy to grow?
Most hardy geraniums are ridiculously easy to grow. All they require is moderately fertile, well-drained soil. A few species are even reliably drought-tolerant in normal summer conditions. Hardy geraniums forming low mounds of well-formed foliage and dainty flowers make superb flowering ground covers.
Are geraniums Hardy?
Bursting with flowers, hardy geraniums also feature lush foliage, which adds valuable texture to 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 moderately fertile, well-drained soil.
Are geraniums drought tolerant?
A few species are even reliably drought-tolerant in normal summer conditions. Hardy 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.
Are geraniums good for a rock garden?
They are quite effective as underplantings for trees and shrubs, as well as choking weeds in garden areas that are difficult to cultivate. The best hardy geranium species and cultivars for rock gardens are those which require sharp drainage and gritty, rocky or sandy soil.
What are the best geranium varieties?
The best hardy geranium varieties (aka cranesbills) provide months of color and effective ground cover. In the last 50 or 60 years, these dependable jewel-hued bloomers have become some of our most appreciated hardy perennials.