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.

Geranio resistente (geranio comune)

Geranium sanguineum

Piantate i gerani resistenti in primavera o in autunno, al sole o all’ombra, in quasi tutti i tipi di terreno: sono le piante perenni più affidabili e poco esigenti per i giardini del Regno Unito, con specie adatte a ogni condizione, dal pieno sole all’ombra secca fino ai boschi. Rozanne è la più popolare di tutte (RHS Plant of the Centenary 2013): fiori a forma di piattino di un chiaro blu-violetto da maggio fino alle prime gelate su un cespuglio espanso di 50 cm. I gerani resistenti (RHS H5–H7) non sono la stessa cosa dei pelargoni (spesso chiamati gerani nei centri di giardinaggio): i pelargoni sono piante da aiuola estive delicate; i gerani resistenti sono piante perenni completamente resistenti all'inverno. Potate l'intera pianta della metà dopo la prima fioritura a fine giugno per stimolarne una seconda. Non confonderli con l'erbaccia del geranio — il geranio selvatico (G. robertianum) si auto-semina nei giardini; estirpa le piantine giovani prima che si diffondano. Facili, belli, indistruttibili.

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