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.
As an avid gardener and geranium enthusiast, I’m always looking for ways to successfully grow these cheery flowers in less-than-ideal lighting conditions. Geraniums are naturally lovers of full sun. But with some thoughtful plant selections and care adjustments, even shade-dwelling gardeners can enjoy gorgeous geranium blooms.
In this article, I’ll share expert insights on how to help geraniums flourish in partial shade. You’ll learn clever tips on varieties, planting, watering, and more. Soon your partially shaded beds, planters and borders will be bursting with vibrant geranium color. Let’s shed some light on growing geraniums in the shade!
Why Geraniums Normally Need Full Sun
First it’s helpful to understand why geraniums typically require ample sunlight. Native to sunny South Africa these plants soak up rays to fuel growth and flowering. The more direct sun geraniums receive, the more prolifically they bloom.
Full sun also keeps geranium foliage lush and compact. When light is insufficient plants become leggy and flowers diminish. Plus, sunlight exposure deters fungal diseases that thrive in shade’s cool dampness.
While geraniums prefer full sun, they can make do with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight if provided ideal partial shade conditions. East or west-facing locales work better than north-facing ones. Light shade beneath high tree canopies is also an option.
Choosing the Best Geranium Varieties for Partial Shade
Not all geraniums are created equal when it comes to shade tolerance. Seek out these top varieties bred to thrive with less light:
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Regal geraniums – Large, brightly colored blooms on fragrant plants.
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Martha Washington geraniums – Vibrant bi-colored ruffled flowers.
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Angel geraniums – Unique tricolored blooms with dark centers.
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Scented geraniums – Fragrant foliage suits shadowy spots.
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Ivy geraniums – Vine-like trailing habits work in hanging baskets.
Avoid sun-worshipping zonal geraniums, which need maximum light exposure to really flower their best. Focus on shade-friendly species instead.
Providing Optimal Partial Shade Conditions
When situating geraniums in partial shade, optimize lighting and environment with these tips:
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Place in east or west-facing locales to receive morning and evening sun.
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Ensure at least 4 hours of direct daily sun, preferably in the cooler mornings.
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Plant near light-reflecting walls or pavements to maximize illumination.
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Select sheltered spots protected from wind which can exaggerate shade effects.
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Avoid planting under dense trees or shrubs that block too much sun.
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For container gardening, use light-colored planters to reflect more light.
Adjusting Watering and Fertilizing Needs
Geraniums in partial shade require modified watering and fertilizing regimens. Here’s how to tweak their care:
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Check soil moisture frequently, watering when just starting to dry out. Avoid saturating the soil.
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Reduce watering frequency and amounts to prevent fungal diseases in cooler shaded areas.
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Apply balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season for nourishment.
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In very deep shade, lessen fertilizer to avoid leggy, weak growth unable to support flowers.
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Add organic compost to improve moisture retention in fast-draining soil.
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Mulch around plants to conserve soil moisture longer.
Providing Supplemental Lighting Options
If plants still seem light-deprived, consider adding supplemental lighting to amp up blooms. Here are some possible solutions:
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Install grow lights overhead on a timer to deliver extra illumination daily.
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Position portable grow lights nearby to shine on plants for several hours each day.
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Place large reflective surfaces like white boards or aluminum foil around plants to bounce light.
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Supplement with solar garden lights or outdoor string lights for a subtle boost.
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Rotate potted plants to distribute light coverage over the course of a week.
Preventing Leggy Growth and Pinching Back Tips
Insufficient light causes geraniums to become tall, leggy and sparse in their flowering. Counteract this with diligent pruning:
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Pinch off spent blooms regularly to encourage new buds.
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Cut back leggy stems halfway to force bushier regrowth.
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Prune plants after flowering to stimulate denser growth for the next season.
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Remove yellowing leaves promptly to deter fungal spread in damp shade.
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Cut back all growth by one third in fall to overwinter plants more compactly indoors.
Choosing Companion Plants That Also Tolerate Shade
Build beautiful geranium garden beds and containers by combining shade-friendly companion plants such as:
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Impatiens, begonias, coleus for colorful annuals.
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Hostas, ferns, astilbes for texture.
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Caladiums, elephant ears for tropical flair.
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Heucheras, tiarellas for evergreen groundcovers.
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Hellebores, coral bells for perennial pops of color.
Enjoying Geraniums Even in Shadier Settings
Don’t despair if your garden lacks ample sunlight. By following these tips, you can still cultivate gorgeous geraniums in partial shade environments. Focus on shade-tolerant varieties, provide supplemental lighting, adjust watering and fertilizing accordingly, and pinch back leggy growth. Soon you’ll be enjoying vibrant geranium blooms – even in the shadows!
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.
Best GERANIUM Care Tips – What We’ve Learned To Keep Geraniums Looking Their Best
Can geraniums grow in full sun?
Geraniums grow best in full sun, but they can tolerate partial shade. Geraniums prefer a well-drained soil. Water geraniums regularly so that the soil is evenly moist. Fertilize geraniums with a balanced fertilizer every two weeks. Geraniums prefer temperatures between 60-75°F (15-24°C). Keep an eye out for aphids, spider mites, and other pests.
Do geraniums grow in shade?
Discover 11 gorgeous hardy geraniums for shade, below. More lavender-blue than purple, it does darken to purple round the white eye, and the veins are purple, too. This eagerly spreading plant is perfect in shady areas, wherever you need something robust and vigorous to create good ground cover. Height x spread: 45cm x 1.5m.
What is a partially shaded Geranium?
Partial shade refers to areas where geraniums receive filtered sunlight for a portion of the day, with limited direct sunlight exposure. A partially shaded location receives less than 6 hours but at least 4 hours of sunlight daily, usually in the mornings with less intense light and heat.
How do you care for geraniums in shade?
Geraniums prefer a well-drained soil. Water geraniums regularly so that the soil is evenly moist. Fertilize geraniums with a balanced fertilizer every two weeks. Geraniums prefer temperatures between 60-75°F (15-24°C). Keep an eye out for aphids, spider mites, and other pests. What type of geraniums can survive in shade?
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