How to plant perennial geraniums

When to plant perennial geraniums?

Plant young geraniums preferably in spring, when there’s no longer any risk of frost, but also in autumn, when the soil is still warm and rainfall becomes more frequent.

Where to plant them?

Perennial geraniums will thrive when planted in sun or partial shade, avoiding scorching sunlight. However, some varieties are perfectly suited to shade and can be planted, for example, in woodland areas. This is the case with Geranium nodosum, Geranium maculatum, and Geranium macrorrhizum.

Geraniums are generally easy-going and low-maintenance plants, capable of adapting to various conditions. Most of them, however, prefer rich, humus-bearing, moist, and well-drained soil… In short, a good garden soil that is neither too acidic nor too alkaline suits them perfectly. Geraniums dislike waterlogged soil (with the exception of Geranium palustre, which is adapted to damp areas!), nor soil that dries out too much in summer. Geranium sanguineum and cinereum tolerate drier, poorer, and stony soils slightly better. They will thrive in rockeries.

Geraniums make excellent ground cover plants, ideal for planting at the front of a border, at the base of trees or bushes, or to adorn the foot of a rose bush. They can also cover a slope or be planted in containers on a balcony.

How to plant?

We recommend maintaining a minimum distance of 40 cm between each young plant. This will give them the necessary space to develop. However, more compact hardy geraniums, such as Geranium cinereum, can be planted closer together than those that spread widely, like ‘Ann Folkard’.

Planting in the ground, step by step:

1. Place the rootball in a basin filled with water to moisten it.
2. Meanwhile, use a spade to dig a planting hole roughly twice the size of the rootball.
3. Place some potting compost or compost at the bottom of the hole.
4. Remove the plant from its pot and gently loosen the roots, especially if they are rootbound.
5. Place the rootball in the planting hole, with the collar at soil level.
6. Backfill with soil around it and firm gently.
7. Water thoroughly

Continue to water regularly in the weeks following planting. After that, your hardy geranium will manage perfectly well without watering, except in cases of severe drought.

Planting in pots or containers:

You can plant your hardy geraniums in pots or containers to add colour to a balcony or terrace. Some varieties, such as ‘Ann Folkard’ or ‘Rozanne’, will trail their long stems over the edges of the pot in a cascading effect!

1. Choose a sufficiently large pot.
2. Drain the bottom with gravel or clay pebbles.
3. Add the growing medium to the pot.
4. Position the rootball.
5. Fill around it with more growing medium, then firm gently.
6. Water generously.

Also discover our video guide – Planting perennials: