I want to highlight one of my favourite perennials – Geranium ‘Rozanne’, common name Cranesbill. It’s a modern cultivar, specifically bred for hardiness, and is easy to grow. It is long blooming and has large blue-violet blooms, always an attraction for me. ‘Rozanne’ was in the Top Ten Plants of the Century at the Centennial Chelsea Flower Show.
It’s a vigorous, spreading plant that thrives in a range of spaces from full sun to partial shade. In hot weather, it will tolerate the temperatures better in dappled shade. I grow it as a ground cover, but I imagine it would look great as a trailing plant in a large pot or hanging basket, too. Geranium ‘Rozanne’ is often suggested for growing under roses.
The plant has a sprawling habit up to 60cm, with height of 80cm. I deadhead the blooms during the growing period to encourage more flowers. The plant stays in flower throughout summer until the temperatures start to drop. Cut back the foliage at this stage. The plant will then wait until frosts have passed before sending up new leaves (it is frost hardy down to about -20C but I hope we never experience that temperature!). If you want, you can divide congested clumps at this stage. Geranium ‘Rozanne’ is a robust plant once it is established, though it demands well-drained soil and hates being waterlogged. All it requires is a good feed in spring.
As if that’s not enough, the blue-violet flowers attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators. More reasons to have a few of these gorgeous plants in your garden!