How To Grow Geraniums

Plant versatile hardy geraniums, says Anne Swithinbank.

- Anne Swithinbank

HARDY geraniums are also known as cranesbills, as many of the tribe have fruits resembling long beaks that split and twist to fire the seeds out. Among their ranks are several primadonnas that stand out from the crowd, while others solve the problem of what to plant in a dry shady border and one (‘Ann Folkard’), has an almost scrambling, clambering habit.

They have five-petalled flowers, predominantly in jewel-like shades of pink, blue and purple and range from a diminutive 4in (10cm) high (G. cinereum) suitable for alpine troughs and rock gardens, to specimens 48in (1.2m) tall.