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 most people think of geraniums, a vision of vibrant red blooms against deep green foliage in the full sun comes to mind. While it’s true the majority of geranium varieties thrive in sunny spots, these beautiful bloomers can also grow surprisingly well in partial shade
With the right variety selection, proper care and ideal positioning geraniums can add gorgeous color and texture to partially shaded beds borders and containers. Let’s explore how to successfully grow geraniums in partial shade for stunning floral displays even in low light conditions.
Which Geraniums Grow Best in Partial Shade?
While sun-loving zonal geraniums need at least 6 hours of direct sun to really flourish, other types are better suited to partial shade. Here are some top varieties to consider:
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Ivy Geraniums – With lush, trailing foliage and abundant blooms in shades of pink, red and white, ivy geraniums (Pelargonium peltatum) thrive with just 3-4 hours of sun per day. They make excellent hanging basket plants for filtered light locations.
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Regal Geraniums – Originally from the forests of South Africa, regal geraniums (Pelargonium domesticum) are ideal for partial shade gardens. They produce showy blooms in rich hues atop lush, fragrant foliage.
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Cranesbill Geraniums – Also called hardy geraniums, these perennial types can tolerate more shade than their annual cousins. Cranesbills like ‘Rozanne’ and ‘Biokovo’ need only 3-4 hours of sun.
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Scented Geraniums – Grown for their fragrant leaves, scented geraniums (Pelargonium species) thrive in part sun. The rose, lemon and mint scented varieties are especially Shade tolerant.
When selecting geraniums for partial shade, look for varieties described as shade-loving or for part sun/part shade on plant tags or in catalog descriptions. Cooler light brings out the best coloring in many geranium blooms.
Where to Site Geraniums in Partial Shade
When growing geraniums in the garden, look for sites that receive morning sun but afternoon shade, such as on the east side of taller plants or structures. Dappled shade under trees and shrubs is also suitable, as long as the plants don’t have dense, heavy shade cast over them.
Partially shaded courtyards, covered patios and pergolas surrounded by structural landscaping make ideal geranium-growing spots. Filtered light conditions protect the plants from intense midday sun while still allowing sufficient light for blooming.
For container gardening, choose hanging baskets in eaves or shelves in sunlight but out of glare. East or west-facing balconies and entryways work beautifully to display geraniums in pots where they’ll get a refreshing mix of sun and shade.
Observe the light patterns in your garden over time to determine the best filtered shade locations for geraniums before planting. Avoid dense, full shade sites.
Caring for Geraniums in Partial Shade
Geraniums grown in partial shade have slightly different care needs than their full sun counterparts. Here are some tips for success:
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Use a rich, well-draining soil or potting mix to provide sufficient nutrients. Compost-enriched garden beds work great.
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Water whenever the top few inches of soil become dry. Check soil moisture daily and don’t let plants wilt.
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Apply a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season.
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Remove spent blooms promptly to encourage new flowers. Deadhead faded ones at the base of the flower stem.
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Prune back leggy growth and old leaves to keep plants compact and healthy.
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Propagate by taking 3-4 inch cuttings in summer for new plants. Root cuttings in light shade.
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Move containers to a sunny spot in winter. Reduce watering but don’t let soil dry out completely.
With attentive care, periods of partial sun can actually be beneficial to geraniums by protecting them from excessive heat and water loss. Just take care not to over-water them in lower light. Adequate warmth and air flow is critical for disease prevention in shade.
Designing With Geraniums for Partially Shaded Areas
When incorporated thoughtfully into designs, geraniums can make stunning focal points or accents even in part sun gardens. Consider these design tips:
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Use containers of ivy geraniums on shaded entryways, patios or balconies to add vivid color.
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Underplant regal geraniums with shade loving groundcovers like lamium or dwarf hostas.
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Edge a partly shaded pathway with cranesbill geraniums for pops of color as you pass.
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Fill in around the base of shrubs or trellised climbing roses with hardy geranium varieties.
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Plant scented geraniums along partly shaded seating areas so you can enjoy their aromas up close.
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Combine trailing ivy geraniums with shade annuals like impatiens and begonias in mixed containers.
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Use hardy cranesbill geraniums like ‘Rozanne’ as colorful groundcover under trees.
With creative designs, geranium lovers can find plenty of ways to incorporate these beloved blooms into partially shaded garden beds, borders, containers and landscapes.
Discover the Beauty of Geraniums in Part Sun
Full sun shouldn’t get to hog all the geranium glory. These lovely flowers have a surprising versatility that also allows them to flourish in partially shaded spaces. With the right variety choices, care tactics and design plans, it’s easy to grow geraniums in filtered sun areas. Even without bright direct light, geraniums will reward gardeners with plentiful cheery blooms.
This year, look at your garden’s shadier corners and areas with dappled light as opportunities waiting to be filled with beautiful geranium color. Then select some choice shade-tolerant varieties suited to your climate and conditions. Give them enriched soil, attentive watering and the light levels they crave. Before you know it, you’ll have gorgeous geraniums blooming happily in the part sun.
Don’t reserve geranium growing just for the sunniest garden sites. With a little patience and TLC, these beloved plants can flower in partially shaded spaces to create stunning dimensional designs and pops of vivid color. It’s time to give geranium-growing in the shade a try!
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.
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.
Best GERANIUM Care Tips – What We’ve Learned To Keep Geraniums Looking Their Best
FAQ
How many hours of sun do geraniums need?
Where is the best place to plant geraniums?
Do geraniums prefer pots or ground?
How do I Choose geraniums for shady areas?
When selecting geraniums for shady areas, consider the following factors: Soil: Geraniums prefer well-drained soil that is not waterlogged. Sun exposure: Hardy geraniums can tolerate partial shade to full shade. Size: Choose varieties that will fit the available space in your garden.
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.
Do geraniums grow in full sun?
These attractive perennials thrive in full sun or half shade and perform well in hardiness zones 3 to 9, so almost every gardener can find geranium varieties that will flourish in their garden tools and gardens year after year.
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. Plenty of shade-loving geranium species and cultivars thrive in light or dappled shade.
What kind of geraniums grow in shade?
Buy Geranium phaeum ‘Album’: Small, white nodding flowers. Will thrive in shade Buy Geranium phaeum var. phaeum ‘Samobor’: mall, purple-black flowers. Good for damp or dry shade Buy Geranium phaeum : Small, deep maroon flowers. Good for groundcover
How much sun do geraniums need?
For best results, place your geranium in partial shade, where they can get at least four hours of sunlight per day. For even greater bloom production, try to find a spot that receives full sun.