Donna Summers Dead 04

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When most of us think of geraniums, a picture of the tender prima donna geraniums that we can find in every nursery, home improvement garden section or grocery store in spring. While these bedding plants are lovely in their own right, if you have not yet explored the hardy geraniums, commonly called cranesbills, then you are missing out on a whole group of garden-worthy perennials that can add beauty and charm to your garden.

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Let's ignore the tender geraniums --genus Pelargonium -- and look at only the hardy cranesbill perennials. These wonderfully various plant are excellent in a large variety of garden habitats, and are a good addition to containers. They come in a wide range of colors, heights and forms, so will suit almost any garden purpose. While some can be almost invasive spreaders, others will make good single plants in a border.

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Most will tolerate full sun, but the geraniums do best in a partly shady spot. Blooms usually show in May, and can last through fall. If you find that the blooming is fading in hot summers and the foliage is looking scraggly, simply trim back the plant and water it well. This will start a new flush of blooms and foliage that will last the rest of the summer and through fall. Keep pruning off the dead flower heads as well so flowering is continuous.

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Plant geraniums in soil that is moderately fertile and well drained. Too much fertilizer, especially nitrogen, will give you lots of greenery but fewer flowers. Fertilize them only once, in spring. Water well, and do not allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Having an automatic watering system can prevent this from happening. Mulching your plants in spring will also help retain moisture.

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Geranium seeds can be sown outside in spring, or you can propagate plants by taking cuttings from your existing plants in spring. When the plants have grown to a large clump, you can divide them. This will re-invigorate the parent plant as well as giving you more of these versatile plants to give away, sell, or enjoy yourself.

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All of these hardy geraniums will thrive in zones 5 - 9, and many will do well in even cooler climates. All have divided or lobed leaves that form a mat or mound of foliage. The cup or star shaped 5-petaled flowers appear early, and varieties will show blossom colors from white through pinks to lavender and blues.

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Macrorhizum: This is a border type of geranium, with a densely growing mat of fragrant leaves. Magenta pink flowers show in early summer. It is heat tolerant, making it a good choice massed for large groundcover areas. Each plant grows to 12 inches in height and will cover a 24 inch diameter area. The foliage has a glowing orangey-red color in fall.

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Sanguineum: As the name implies, this one is called the bloody cranesbill. It has a low spreading mat of fine leaves that turn a brilliant red in fall and very showy bright magenta flowers. Good as a groundcover or as an edging plant.

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Clarkei: One of the taller cranesbill geraniums, this grows to a height of around 18 inches. It's deeply cut dark green foliage forms a low mound. The blooms are white, large and cup shaped with violet veins. This is an excellent white flower choice for a perennial border.