Drought-tolerant hardy geraniums

Geranium sanguineum

The Geranium sanguineum, hardy and resilient, grows spontaneously in France. It is the source of several cultivars, with a spreading habit, very low at 15 cm in height or medium-sized at 60 cm. There are no blues among them; instead, we explore a range from whites to reds and soft or vibrant pinks. It flowers in summer and autumn, in waves. Its foliage turns red at the end of the season. A companion for southern gardens and sunny spots, it also thrives alongside bushes in partial shade, where it does not fear competition. Its medium to dark green foliage, more or less dissected, is deciduous. There are no hardiness issues with this geranium; it withstands -20° C in winter. Grow it in well-drained soil.

Discover the hardy geranium sanguineum ‘Elke’, with dark pink flowers striped with purple, forming a spreading tuft 25 cm high and spreading over 40 cm. The hardy geranium sanguineum striatum features light pink flowers veined with deeper pink on a very low tuft of 15 cm in height. The Geranium sanguineum ‘Max Frei’ boasts a stunning magenta flowering. Plant them with Thymes and Oreganos in the sun. They also make great companions in partial shade with Periwinkles and Lamiums.

Geranium sanguineum ‘Elsbeth’, then ‘Elke’, then striatum

Geranium cantabrigiense

The Geranium cantabrigiense is a hardy perennial geranium that is either evergreen or semi-evergreen. It is a natural hybrid between Geranium dalmaticum and Geranium macrorrhizum, which we will discuss later. With a fairly compact, dwarf habit, it reaches a height of 25 cm and offers continuous flowering in summer, displaying white, pink, or mauve flowers with prominent stamens. It spreads slowly through its stolons, and its fragrant foliage turns purple in autumn. Plant it in partial shade to withstand the summer heat. Suitable for all uses, from borders to beds or pots, use this geranium as you wish. Discover the hardy geranium cantabrigiense ‘Intense’ with its deep pink flowers and fragrant foliage, or the Geranium cantabrigiense ‘Westray’ with its scented flowers. Unless you prefer the well-known ‘Biokovo’, which has proven itself. Plant them alongside Aquilegias and Campanulas.

Geranium cantabrigiense ‘Westray’, then ‘Biokovo’, then ‘Intense’

Geranium cinereum

The Geranium cinereum or Ashy Cranesbill is a montane plant native to the Pyrenees. It is accustomed to growing in fairly harsh conditions and poor, dry soils. These challenging conditions do not prevent it from flowering throughout the summer. It is easy to cultivate in well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. Never exceeding 20 to 25 cm in height, it also favours pink or red tones, but you will notice that the flowers of Geraniums vary with each species. Its divided leaves are ash-grey, slightly greyish, and either evergreen or semi-evergreen. Its flowers are all more or less striated and are sometimes marked with a very contrasting dark centre. For borders, in pots, in rockeries, or at the front of flower beds, consider planting the famous Geranium cinereum ‘Ballerina’ or Geranium cinereum ‘Jolly Jewel Night’, unless you prefer the salmon flowers of Geranium cinereum ‘Jolly Jewel Salmon’. Plant them alongside alpine plants, other Geraniums, or Dwarf Asters.

Geranium cinereum ‘Ballerina’, ‘Jolly Jewel Salmon’ and ‘Jolly Jewel Night’

Erodium

Belonging to the geranium family, the Erodium is a cousin of the geranium, much less known. Native to the Mediterranean basin, it grows in full sun, in ordinary, neutral or calcareous soil, even dry. It requires well-drained soil to survive winter without stagnant moisture. It blooms profusely in summer and easily spills over into adjacent seasons. Its foliage is decorative, more or less dissected depending on the species, sometimes resembling that of a fern, often grey-green. It thrives where others fail but is sensitive to competition from neighbouring plants. Reserve it for pots, rockeries, and borders. It is hardy to at least -15°C. Its flowers, in white, pink, or mauve, are delicately veined, and some are adorned with unique patterns. Try the Erodium variabile ‘Album’, with contrasting white and purple, or the Erodium Stephanie, with delicate petals maculate with a purple-violet pattern. Alternatively, choose the bright white petals of the Erodium chrysanthum. Erodiums grow between 10-15 cm and 40 cm depending on the species. Plant them in rockeries with low Sedums or with Frankenia laevis.

Erodium ‘Stephanie’, chrysanthum, variabile ‘Album’

Geranium macrorrhizum

The Geranium macrorrhizum is a geranium often used for its qualities as an evergreen groundcover perennial, which is not demanding regarding soil and exposure conditions. Moreover, the roots of trees and bushes do not disturb it, making it a truly adaptable groundcover that prevents adventive plants from growing. When planted in numbers at the foot of hedges, along paths, between shrubs, or at the base of trees, it tolerates the dryness created by these situations, where larger plants absorb the soil’s water and deprive it of sunlight. It is an excellent geranium for dry shade. It generally grows to about 30 to 40 cm in height. Its flowers are similar to those of Geranium cantabrigiense, from which it is derived, and they typically appear in May for a few weeks. Its foliage takes on autumnal hues. Plant the hardy geranium macrorrhizum ‘White Ness’ with pure white flowers, or the hardy geranium macrorrhizum ‘Spessart’, which has proven itself, or the hardy geranium macrorrhizum ‘Ingwersen’s Variety’ with soft pink flowers. When planted en masse, it is an unwavering groundcover.

Geranium macrorrhizum ‘White Ness’, then ‘Spessart’ and ‘Ingwersen’s Variety’

Geranium phaeum

Here is the very lovely Geranium phaeum, a specialist in shade, which tolerates dry shade. It can also withstand a bit of sun in moist soil. In any case, it is in the shade or facing north that you should plant this Geranium if you want it to endure dry soil. An expert in the palette of purples, it is available in purple-violet, purple-black, violet, brown-purple, but also in white or mauve. We love its small flowers with a velvety texture, perched high above the foliage, looking downwards. It blooms for about a month between May and July, depending on the regions and varieties. Its foliage is cut, semi-evergreen, sometimes maculate with chocolate. Taller than the previous Geraniums, it reaches between 50 and 80 cm in height. In purple-garnet-violet, plant the Geranium phaeum ‘Samobor’, or choose the Geranium phaeum ‘Lily Lovell’ with very dark violet flowers. The Geranium phaeum ‘Raven’ is adorned with brown-purple flowers. Epimediums, Hostas, Hellebores, there is no shortage of companions to pair with their beautiful colours.

All different varieties: Geranium phaeum ‘Samobor’, phaeum ‘Angelina’, phaeum ‘Mourning Widow’ and phaeum ‘Raven’

Geranium nodosum

The Geranium nodosum prefers cool, shady soils but tolerates dry soils. It is native to the forests of Europe. It reaches a height of 50 cm and spreads equally. The Geranium nodosum flowers from May to September. The typical species features lovely lavender-blue flowers, striated with purple. Its characteristic palmate leaves are a glossy soft green. The Geranium nodosum ‘Clos du Coudray’ boasts pale pink-edged mauve flowers striated with dark violet. Notably, this Geranium self-seeds generously, and the seedlings from sowing are true to colour. The Geranium nodosum ‘Silverwoods’ shines with a sparkling white flowering. It is slightly shorter, at 35 cm in height. These beautiful specimens make excellent groundcovers, growing quite quickly and are low-maintenance. Consider them for a long flowering period at the foot of a north-facing wall, between bushes, or under trees where they are not afraid of root competition. Plant them with Astrantias, Ophiopogons, and Heucheras.

Geranium nodosum ‘Silverwoods’, Geranium nodosum, Geranium nodosum ‘Clos du Coudray’