The Best Perennial Geraniums for Shade

Geranium nodosum

Few plants thrive in deep shade, but the Geranium nodosum is an ideal solution for such gardens. It tolerates the shadiest spots, even dry shade! This excellent groundcover boasts glossy foliage and blue or lilac flowers. Moreover, it offers a long flowering period from May to September.

Geranium nodosum Silverwood

With its silvery-white flowers, Geranium nodosum 'Silverwood' brings brightness to woodland gardens! Its blooms stand out beautifully against vibrant green foliage.

• Flowering time July to October
• Height at maturity 35 cm

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Geranium nodosum Clos du Coudray

For a bolder hue, discover Geranium nodosum 'Clos du Coudray'! It bears lovely mauve flowers delicately edged in white, contrasted by dark purple veins.

• Flowering time July to October
• Height at maturity 50 cm

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Geranium nodosum ‘Silverwood’

Spotted Cranesbill

The Geranium maculatum is an excellent cranesbill for shade, to be grown in fresh or even moist soil. It is appreciated for its pretty soft mauve-pink flowering and its deeply cut foliage of a beautiful bright green. Growing in an upright clump, it is taller than most other hardy geraniums.

Geranium maculatum Espresso

The 'Espresso' spotted cranesbill offers delicate soft pink flowering, enhanced by dark chocolate-coloured foliage.

• Flowering time June to August
• Height at maturity 60 cm

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Geranium maculatum Chatto

A variety with green foliage that showcases small pale pink flowers.

• Flowering time June, July
• Height at maturity 50 cm

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Geranium maculatum var.album

This variety boasts elegant white flowering. It tolerates very well wet or marshy soils.

• Flowering time June to August
• Height at maturity 75 cm

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Geranium maculatum ‘Album’

Geranium macrorrhizum

The Geranium macrorrhizum is an excellent ground cover for shady spots. Its semi-evergreen foliage takes on beautiful hues in autumn. In regions with a mild climate, it retains its leaves in winter. It can tolerate dry shade.

Geranium macrorrhizum Spessart

Discover the Geranium macrorrhizum 'Spessart', a variety with white flowers, delicately tinged with pink.

• Flowering time June, July
• Height at maturity 30 cm

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Geranium macrorrhizum Olympos

The Geranium macrorrhizum 'Olympos' is appreciated for its lovely pink flowering and aromatic, highly fragrant foliage!

• Flowering time June, July
• Height at maturity 25 cm

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Geranium macrorrhizum Czakor

A variety with strikingly deep pink flowers. It is undemanding and tolerates dry soils perfectly.

• Flowering time June, July
• Height at maturity 35 cm

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Geranium macrorrhizum ‘Spessart’

Also discover Olivier’s video on Geranium macrorrhizum: an all-terrain perennial

Geranium phaeum (Dusky Cranesbill)

The Geranium phaeum stands out with its deep purple flowers, a very rich and intense shade. Its leaves are maculate with purple spots.

Geranium phaeum Album

If the flowers of the species type are too dark for your taste, choose this variety with white flowers! It will beautifully brighten up a shady border. It has lovely tender green foliage.

• Flowering time June to September
• Height at maturity 60 cm

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Geranium phaeum Samobor

The 'Samobor' geranium has deep purple flowers, white at the centre, with petals curving backwards. Its leaves are tinged with purple.

• Flowering time June, July
• Height at maturity 75 cm

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Geranium phaeum Lily Lovell

A variety with dark blue-violet flowers, lighter at the centre. Its foliage is maculate with purple.

• Flowering time June to September
• Height at maturity 80 cm

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Geranium phaeum ‘Samobor’

Wood Cranesbill

The wood cranesbill is well-suited for planting beneath trees, as this is its natural habitat! It prefers partial shade to deep shade though. Place it at the foot of deciduous trees! We love its pretty mauve flowers, lighter at the centre, and its superb cut foliage.

Geranium sylvaticum Album

Geranium sylvaticum 'Album' offers a generous white flowering in spring, brightening up the shadiest spots in the garden!

• Flowering time June, July
• Height at maturity 60 cm

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Geranium sylvaticum Birch Lilac

This variety is cherished for its delicate spring flowering, in blue-mauve hues, subtly white at the centre of the flower.

• Flowering time June, July
• Height at maturity 40 cm

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Geranium sylvaticum ‘Birch Lilac’