Hardy geraniums
In my very first blog in 2016 I wrote about my love for wonderful hardy geraniums here
They really are some of the best garden plants you can buy. They are the main players in my cottage garden style as I try to emulate East Lambrook Manor Garden, the most famous cottage garden there is.
I’m writing today to tell you about Cranesbill Nursery from which I now buy all my geraniums. They are big healthy plants, propagated and grown on by the owner Gary. They are easy to buy online and arrive packaged without pots, wrapped in film.
in a box full of straw.
A very healthy rootball
This is a 1.5 litre rootball and is just fantastic. Look at that root system.
Plant them now
This is such a good time to plant them. The soil is warm and hopefully damp. It’s easy to dig into. The plant has all winter to settle its roots and will start growing immediately. Many geraniums show leaves over winter and there’s no need to cut them down.
Some plants come with lots of top growth and some come with none. But this one which had no leaves showing two weeks ago now has growth.
A real cottage garden patch with Rozanne geranium scrambling through the whole area.
Hardy geraniums in pots
Now some people might think this pot is boring
but it isn’t to me because these leaves will spread and form a carpet of bright green and flowers will come in the spring. I love the simplicity and the confidence of a pot with a single plant type in it.
Others love mixed pot planting. Each one to their own taste.
The cantabrigiense varieties are best suited to this I think. Check them out for yourself. Put one plant in a nice pot and that’s it.
I hope I’ve given you an idea of how hardy geraniums can be an easy to grow stalwart in your garden, especially if you like the cottage garden style.
Thanks for reading my blog and good gardening ………
Yes….I do need the plant some of these.
They are great value, last for years and survive all weathers. Good luck!
Yes, indeed, great plants and I especially agree with you re the various cantabrigense cultivars which are excellent garden plants and especially simple to propagate in the garden – pull off and shove down!
ooo thanks for reminding me that I don’t need to be too precious with those. I can pull a bit off and shove it in – yes you’re right. Thanks for getting in touch.