A spring stalwart in my garden is geraniun phaeum in various shades. These are such easy going plants that just get on and do their own thing with little need for human intervention. This plant is what is often referred to as a "good doer" and is happy to oblige in any soil in full shade, partial shade or full sun. It's one of those plants which will even grown in dry shade. They can grow quite tall but somehow or the other keep themselves upright without the need for support, attract bees but seem to repel molluscs. What more could you ask for?
There's a little catch or two as there is with many plants. The plant does spread somewhat around the girth and also seeds about a bit but I can live with that. I've several of these geraniums growing in the garden with the first appearing in early April but with others only getting into full gear now. Foliage colour varies and includes some variegated forms. My plants once had names but I've lost track over the years. The plants you see above are geranium phaeum album and the second is probably phaeum 'Lily Lovell' but I would not like to hazard a guess at any other of the others.
They will grow under shrubs and trees and are perfect companions for a wide range of spring flowering bulbs and perennials. A good haircut after flowering will prompt fresh new foliage to emerge. Propagation is best done by division. I usually do so in very early spring but the plants can be divided any time in their dormant season. They are one perennial that I would not be without.
Thanks as always to our lovely hostess Carol over at May Dreams Gardens who enables us to share our blooms each month as the year unfolds.
They're such fabulous plants and a good doer is a spot on description. I have one in my garden which outgrew it's space in the back garden so I moved it to the front garden and it's come on leaps and bounds since. I do like that dark purple flower you have, mine is more of a pinky lilac but I've also lost the plant label so I'm unsure of the variety.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteHappy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!
Lea
It's a brilliant plant. Bunnies are rather partial, but despite a premature Chelsea Chop mine has rebounded nicely.
ReplyDeleteHi Anna,
ReplyDeleteLovely geraniums, I too have many, and they've crossed. And of course they end up everywhere and love the flint beneath... I find many seedlings each year that I have to get rid of. Just too many.
I have a few hardy germaniums in the front garden but the problem is they are taking over somewhat as the bed is only very small. I think next year I will have to divide them and maybe trim them back a little, well maybe a lot actually.
ReplyDeleteMine have turned up in the woodland, the original is about 200ft away! I have to keep them under control as they seem to like my soil.
ReplyDeleteThis is one species of Geranium I don't have but having instantly fallen for the one in the second shot Anna - I'm off to the GC tomorrow ;)
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are lovely, if ever there was an advert for Geranium phaeum, this is it!
Beautiful photos of lovely geraniums Anna
ReplyDeleteI love them too, especially the chocolatey red-brown ones. I have never been successful in dividing them, but there are so many seedlings it doesn't matter! I think I had a couple cross-pollinate too. Really love your photos Anna!
ReplyDeleteGeranium phaeum and it's cultivars are great, tough and survive very well in my exposed garden. Lovely photos and blog :)
ReplyDeleteI like the Lily Lovell - beautiful colour.
ReplyDeleteI believe the last one is Samobor - I have just posted a pic of mine on my blog so you can compare them, if you like, and see what you think!
Geraniums are the backbone to many a herbaceous border this time of year. It is easy to take them for granted because they are so easy to look after.
ReplyDeleteTrue, I love them as well - they may not flower for very long but their foliage is delightful. Just got G. p. Samobor and hope it'll thrive. Funny enough they do struggle in places which makes me think that they may not be the 'weeds' gardeners believe...
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely variety of geraniums you have! I have only pink ones, and they do spread, but they're one plant I'm happy to have multiplying in the garden. I've planted a couple of 'Rozannes' which everyone raves about, but didn't do well in my garden. The nameless passalongs I've gotten seem to like it here much better.
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful but don't do as well in my garden as other geraniums. 'Rozanne' and 'Johnson's Blue' as well as the g. striatum do very well.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more Anna - and they make lovely clumps of foliage too
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your kind comments. Yes they may be a bit naughty at times and as Pauline says travel somewhat but I always forgive them :) Thanks for the suggestion of 'Samobor' Juliet. That name rings bells.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your kind comments. Yes they may be a bit naughty at times and as Pauline says travel somewhat but I always forgive them :) Thanks for the suggestion of 'Samobor' Juliet. That name rings bells.
ReplyDeleteLovely photographs. They are good value and so reliable. I never bother propagating them as they seem to spread themselves about without any help from me.
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