who grows hardy Geraniums?

Just wondering if you grow hardy Geraniums in your garden?

I would like to see your photos in the Geranium forum so we can show others their beauty and what they may be missing. Dont be put off because Annette and I grow a few more than you. Dont just leave it to the few who post in there.

I do! Am trying to get the hang of this camera thing - hard time because my hands usually caked with dirt or typing away. LOL - Will post pix soon.

I look forward to seeing what you have

Ummm, if I grow one (Biokovo, I think), does that count? Oh, make that two, I've got some of the native G. maculatum around here, too. I'd love to have more varieties (how can anyone call themselves a gardener and not have Johnson Blue???) in my garden, but I need to find more spaces to put my ever-growing list of plants as it is!

yes JB is a must have for every garden provided it is labelled correctly which more often that not isnt. here is photo I took last year http://www.marksgardenplants.com/johnsons-blue.html

What???? Plants are improperly labelled? Never heard of such a thing! (*grin*)

Great photo, as usual! (Now you've got me scheming on how to squeeze in another plant somewhere, somehow...)

you can always grow a sanguineum or a cinereum which are small and well behaved

I probably grow about 5 varieties, yes Johnson's Blue is one of them, I have a pink one that puts its seeds everywhere and it is pretty but I get tired of pullingit out where I don't want it. I do have a cute little new one called Splish Splash. Sorry, Mark, I don't always have a camera available. I will see what I can do.

your cute little one will reach 3 feet+ once established

I think I have about a dozen different hardy geraniums. Unfortunately the digital camera isn't working, and neither is the scanner, hence, to pictures. The G. biokovo has spread a lot this year, as has the Karmina (sp?). I've got a G. praetens that is over 3' tall, and the Johnson's Blue isn't far behind. The only one that's strggling is a G. phaeum 'Samobor' that the rabbits ate to the ground last year. It survived, but I've only got two small leaves this year. Can't think of all the other names at the moment. I'll post them later.
Deb

I have G. maculatum, G. robertianum - the US native pink, Johnson's blue, but I don't know where it came from (!), G. striatum (I think) and one that I have no idea what is, but it is enthusiastic. I'll get some pics asap - haying now that the weather is good and I am"on call" for any errands that need taking care of and watching the grandkids as well.

I grow hardy geraniums, but alas, does this prove I am not a "real gardener"? I have no 'Johnson's Blue'. Oh, the shame!!! LOL

LOL, lupine, I'll share when my get bigger (and bigger and bigger and bigger).

I have about a half dozen, just starting this year. I do grow 'Biokovo' and it was extremely attractive in bloom. Also grow 'Samobar', which I love for the foliage and the color of the blooms. I am finding the geraniums attractive companions to Heuchera. My G. alba is looking a bit lanky, does this one require more sun than the others?

I am ashamed. I have never grown a Geranium. But Marks beautiful photo convinced me is time! What time of year is best to plant these? Do I need to wait? Now, if I can just find some around here......

plant them at any time of year but they will root into surrounding soil if planted in the autumn or spring. if planted in the summer make sure they are watered on a regular basis to help the roots move out of the root ball.

Pardancanda I'll need to know which species you have to advise on where to grow it. 'Alba' just refers to the flower colour.

Mark we should have a label stook across our foreheads!

"DANGER!! talking to me is bad for your health and could lead to a Geranium addiction!"

It is a shame though that there are not more varieites readily available in the states.

As for not growing johnsons blue, I really wouldnt worry about it. If you can get hold of Rozanne or Brookside they will perform much better for you and will probably provide a much better rung on to the geranium ladder.

Well, Mark and Psilo already know I grow Geraniums,,,and other plants marked as Geraniums which prove to be anything but. I have lots of seed that are wrapped in moist papertowels on top of the frig,,,and will soon have many more Geraniums,,,thanks to Psilo... They are indeed addicting.

I do, I do!! Nothing remotely exotic though but love them dearly!!

Yes we should push Rozanne big time

why are Blooms paying you a commission or something Mark !!!LOL

you are the one who brought up Rozanne! LOL

I must confess, I have not one hardy Geranium.

What's a good source for these plants?

Robin Parer in California has a good selection http://www.geraniaceae.com/geraniums.html

Mark, it came to me labelled Geranium alba. :-(

If it is lanky in the part shade, maybe I will try more sun.

yes I know I did! LOL Actually i saw Rozanne growing in a friends garden last week. It was in a pot sat on decking in full sun. It seemed quite happy but its habit was very different to mine. It was smaller leaved and sprawly and I suspect had smaller flowers. Mine is in shade and grows huge. In fact this year it has totally taken over and i can hardly get up the path! The growth is much bushier and the leaves are bigger though this doesnt seem to be at the expense of the flowers. The flower colour is much darker too. Last year mine was still flowering in November.

Can you get a photo of your G alba Pardancanda? My guess is it may be G sanguineum album, which is leggier than the type, but there are a lot of other white ones out there...

Oops spelling!

This message was edited Thursday, Jun 26th 2:17 AM

Just remembered this thread where there are some photos of G s album http://davesgarden.com/t/273997/

philomel, I will try to get a good photo, or maybe scan in a leaf, the shape might be rather distincive.

Great
Does it look anything like the one in the link above?

It has not bloomed yet for me, and the photo does not show the leaves much, at least on my computer. Will try to get that scanned in tomorrow!