Geranium ‘Brookside’ Cranes Bill An irresistible true blue Geranium with a pale center touted for its longer bloom time than ‘Johnson’s Blue’, ‘Brookside’ will flower from May well into July, then start again when things cool down in September until frost. Its compact, but vigorous growth habit will endear this Marylander to all lovers of hardy Geraniums. Plan on 18-22" of height. Let us know what you think of this beauty. Plant 18 inches apart Zone 4–8 full sun to part shade Geranium cantabrigiense ‘Biokovo’ Cranes Bill We couldn’t resist adding this lovely white-flowering Geranium with its bit of pink border, to our selection. A valuable ground cover at 12", the shiny leaves turn fiery red in the fall and are somewhat evergreen. Expect the flowers in June and July. An added bonus is the spicy fragrance of the foliage throughout the season. Plant 18 inches apart Zone 5–8 full sun to part shade Geranium ‘Dilys’ Cranes Bill Dark-violet flowers with nearly black centers at 30" cover this Geranium from June well into summer over medium green foliage at 12". Weaving among the stems of large open plants in beds and borders, or draping over walls, ‘Dilys’ is absolutely charming. This hybrid prefers well-drained soil in full sun, but tolerates some shade, not untypical of most Geraniums. We are taken by its long bloom time and sprawling habit. Plant 18 inches apart Zone 4–7 full sun to part shade Geranium endressii ‘Wargrave Pink’ Cranes Bill This vigorous hardy Geranium with its deep pink flowers grows well in open woodlands or in roomy mixed borders where it can weave and climb among other plants. Through June and July it will delight you as it hangs over walls, looks great in containers, or covers spent bulb foliage at a height of 12–15". Try it with Artemisia or the variegated foliage of Ribbon Grass (Phalaris) for a bright look. Plant 18 inches apart Zone 5–8 full sun to part shade Geranium ‘Johnson’s Blue’ Cranes Bill In June, this popular hardy Geranium (not to be confused with the annual Pelargonium) sends up a profusion of lavender-blue flowers above an 18" mound of finely-cut foliage. After flowering, cut it back, the foliage will reappear, and the plant may well bloom again. Heat-tolerant and hardy, it only demands a light soil that drains adequately. It combines well with numerous perennials, but you may want to try it with Foxgloves and Lady’s Mantle. Plant 18 inches apart Zone 4–8 full sun to part shade Geranium lancastriense Cranes Bill Creeping and carpet-like at 6", lancastriense blooms most heavily in June and July, but its little salmon-pink flowers with a crimson vein will appear into late summer. Plant 18 inches apart Zone 5–8 full sun to part shade Geranium macrorrhizum ‘Ingwersen’s Variety’ Cranes Bill Small rosy-pink flowers appear in clusters above the aromatic semi-evergreen leaves from the end of May through June on this weed-smothering ground cover. We like the bright bronze and scarlet of the leaves in fall and the compact carpeting effect at 12" in height. This sweet Geranium handles full sun to part shade. Plant 18 inches apart Zone 5–8 full sun to part shade Geranium ‘Rozanne’ Cranes Bill Now considered one of the longest-blooming Geraniums introduced, expect large 2" violet-blue flowers with a tiny white center from June to frost. It grows about 20" tall and 24" wide. If Geraniums are your passion and you live in the mid-Atlantic, the heat tolerance of ‘Rozanne’ makes her irresistible. Expect a red fall foliage display after a summer of deep green slightly marbled leaf color. Blooms of Bressingham introduction. Plant 24 inches apart Zone 5–8 full sun to part shade Geranium sanguineum Bloody Cranes Bill Glowing flowers of reddish-purple from June into August will take your breath away. Then in the fall, the dark green leaves which look like asterisks, turn a bright red—thus the nickname Bloody Cranes Bill. At about 6" in height, it will benefit from a bit of shade in the hottest months of our Maryland summer. Plant 18 inches apart Zone 5–8 full sun to part shade Geranium sanguineum ‘Album’ Bloody Cranes Bill An excellent Geranium species common in American gardens, sanguineum ‘Album’ has clear white flowers at 10-18”. Notoriously tolerant of heat and cold, the sanguineums will flower well if provided partial sun (or even full sun if irrigation is possible during droughty summer times), but good drainage is essential. Blooming for 6-8 weeks, ‘Album’ will combine with many other perennials and brighten garden designs from June through July. Plant 18 inches apart Zone 5–8 full sun to part shade Geranium sanguineum ‘Max Frei’ Cranes Bill We see increased demand for ‘Max Frei’ as more folks discover its compact, fast-growing, attractive foliage and profusion of dependable deep magenta flowers from June into August. What a hardy groundcover at 6-10". Plant 18 inches apart Zone 3–9 full su
|
