"Perennial geraniums are a garden favourite for good reason - they’re tough, reliable, and produce a profusion of delicate-looking, yet hardy blooms. Growing across the garden, these long-lasting plants return year after year with minimal fuss, bringing effortless colour and charm to your outdoor space."
Peter McDermott, Head Gardener
"Perennial geraniums are a garden favourite for good reason - they’re tough, reliable, and produce a profusion of delicate-looking, yet hardy blooms. Growing across the garden, these long-lasting plants return year after year with minimal fuss, bringing effortless colour and charm to your outdoor space."
Peter McDermott, Head Gardener
Hardy geranium varieties are ideal for borders, ground cover and naturalistic planting schemes, spreading gently to knit planting together without becoming invasive. Popular choices such as Geranium Rozanne are particularly prized for their exceptionally long flowering period and strong, weed-suppressing growth.
If containers are the priority, trailing geraniums bring movement and colour to pots, hanging baskets and window boxes. These varieties look especially striking when allowed to cascade over the edges of planters, combining well with grasses and summer bedding. For foliage interest and fragrance, scented geranium options work well in sheltered, sunny positions where their leaves can be brushed past and enjoyed.
Most geraniums prefer well-drained soil and a position in sun or partial shade. They adapt well to different garden conditions, making them a reliable choice for both new and experienced gardeners. As a geraniums flower, they integrate effortlessly with roses, shrubs and ornamental grasses, adding colour while softening harder planting lines.
Plant geraniums into well-prepared soil, spacing them so they have room to spread naturally. Water well during the first growing season while roots establish, especially during dry spells. Once settled, hardy geranium plant varieties are impressively low maintenance and generally cope well without constant attention.
Deadheading spent blooms encourages fresh flowers and keeps plants looking tidy, while a simple trim after the main flowering flush can prompt a second wave of colour. In autumn, foliage can be cut back to ground level, ready for fresh growth the following spring. Geraniums in planters benefit from regular watering and an occasional feed to maintain strong flowering throughout the season.
Whether used as ground cover, border fillers or container stars, geranium plants deliver dependable performance and lasting appeal. With their long flowering season, adaptability and easy-care nature, it is easy to see why geraniums remain a firm favourite with gardeners who want reliable colour year after year.