Are pelargoniums and hardy geraniums the same plant?

No — completely different plants, often confused. Pelargoniums (often sold as geraniums in garden centres, especially the red and pink summer bedding pots) are tender perennials from South Africa — they don't survive UK winters outdoors. Hardy geraniums (true Geranium species — the cranesbills) are fully winter-hardy perennials that die back each autumn and return in spring. Quick test: if it's a bright red flowering pot plant for sale in May–June as bedding, it's a pelargonium. If it's labelled with a Geranium species or cultivar name (Rozanne, macrorrhizum, etc.) and sold as a perennial, it's a hardy geranium.

When do I cut back a hardy geranium?

Late June for most varieties — and again in late autumn. After the first flush of flowers fades (typically late June), cut the plant back by half to two-thirds to trigger a second flush of flowers and fresh foliage. Rozanne is the exception — it flowers continuously May–first frost and needs only a light tidy mid-summer. Late autumn (after second flush): cut to 10 cm to tidy the plant for winter. The plant returns each spring from the rootstock.

What's the best hardy geranium for the UK?

Rozanne — Plant of the Centenary 2013, violet-blue saucer flowers from May to first frost, vigorous 50 cm sprawling habit, ideal mid-border. For dry shade: G. macrorrhizum — bombproof ground cover, fragrant foliage, light pink flowers. For woodland edge: G. phaeum Samobor — deep maroon flowers, dark leaf markings. For meadow / cottage style: G. pratense — the wild meadow cranesbill, deep blue. Hardy geraniums have a species for every UK condition.

Will hardy geraniums grow in shade?

Yes — some are shade specialists. G. macrorrhizum (and cultivars Album, Spessart, Czakor) is the toughest dry-shade ground cover available — works under trees and in north-facing positions where most plants fail. G. phaeum (mourning widow) and G. nodosum thrive in deeper shade with regular flower production. G. sylvaticum is happy at woodland edges. Rozanne and sun-loving species (pratense, sanguineum) need at least 4 hours direct sun for best flowering.

Why is my hardy geranium not flowering well?

Three common causes. (1) Too shaded for the species (sun-lovers in shade flower poorly). (2) Needs dividing: clumps over 4–5 years old get congested and flower less — divide in early spring. (3) No mid-summer chop: many varieties flower once in June and look tatty unless cut back in late June for a second flush. Rozanne specifically: should flower continuously — if it's not, check sun levels and clump age.

Are hardy geraniums good for wildlife?

Very — particularly for bees and hoverflies. The open saucer-shaped flowers are accessible to most pollinators. Bumblebees, honeybees, solitary bees, hoverflies all work the flowers. G. pratense (meadow cranesbill) is the most pollinator-rich — naturalises in meadow plantings and supports a wide range of bees. Hardy geraniums also provide dense ground cover habitat for insects and small wildlife at ground level. A hardy geranium border is a quietly productive pollinator garden.

Géranium vivace

Geranium sanguineum

Plantez les géraniums rustiques au printemps ou à l'automne, au soleil ou à l'ombre, dans presque tous les types de sol : ce sont les vivaces les plus fiables et les plus faciles à cultiver pour les jardins britanniques, avec des espèces adaptées à toutes les conditions, du plein soleil à l'ombre sèche en passant par les sous-bois. Rozanne est la plus populaire de toutes (Plante du Centenaire 2013 de la RHS) : elle produit de grandes fleurs en forme de soucoupe, d'un bleu-violet clair, de mai jusqu'aux premières gelées, sur un monticule étalé de 50 cm. Les géraniums rustiques (RHS H5–H7) ne sont pas les mêmes que les pélargoniums (souvent appelés géraniums dans les jardineries) : les pélargoniums sont des plantes annuelles estivales fragiles ; les géraniums rustiques sont des vivaces entièrement résistantes à l'hiver. Taillez la plante entière de moitié après la première floraison fin juin pour déclencher une deuxième floraison. Ne les confondez pas avec la grémière — l'herbe-robert sauvage (G. robertianum) se ressème spontanément dans les jardins ; arrachez les jeunes pousses avant qu'elles ne se propagent. Facile, belle, indestructible.

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