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Hardy Geranium suggestions please

Anna33Anna33 Posts: 316
in Plants
Are there any hardy geraniums that are either evergreen or (more likely) semi-evergreen, that you can recommend? I know most geraniums will disappear during the winter, but I was hoping that you guys woud have suggestions for ones which are better at keeping their foliage over winter. I live in the SE, which helps in terms of milder weather.

I'm looking for ground cover underneath/to surround a large shrub (a Sambucus 'Black Lace' whose leaves start about a foot off the ground), so I don't want anything too fussy or elaborate. I'd be perfectly happy with one of the less cultivated varieties if that's easier. I tend to think you can never go wrong with a hardy geranium, but I don't know if I'm looking for something that doesn't exist, or if I need to rethink my options.

Soil is on the acidic side (ie alkaline lovers would hate it), if that helps.

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  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    Does it have to be a geranium? What about hebes or lavender? Is it in sun or shade?
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • _Nicolas__Nicolas_ Posts: 48
    You won't really get better ground cover with a geranium than Geranium macrorrhizum, which is also semi-evergreen! I love the little flowers and so do bees!  :)  
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Most hardy geraniums will do the job, although none are truly evergreen, but you may want to add some spring bulbs and a couple of other bits of evergreen ground cover to fill the space for short spells.  Saxifraga urbium [London Pride] for example, would work, and has almost white airy little flower spikes at this time of year, and for a long time.
    I have one of the bio-kovo geraniums, which was already here. I hate it though, as it's virtually a  weed, so I'm constantly trying to get rid of it! I also don't like the colour of the flowers, but that's because I don't like pastel pink.  Good for bare spaces where other things could struggle though. Comes into growth early, and flowers for a long time.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    You may find some ideas here
    https://www.cranesbillnursery.com/

    You can contact them to ask for suggestions, l have found them to be very helpful  :)
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    _Nicolas_ said:
    You won't really get better ground cover with a geranium than Geranium macrorrhizum, which is also semi-evergreen! I love the little flowers and so do bees!  :)  
    I too have Geranium macrorrhizum, a white one that I think is 'Spessart', and it is pretty much evergreen here, copes with all kinds of conditions (I have it in full sun and shade) and spreads, but not in a problematic way. 

    London Pride is also good, but in my experience can't cope with too much sun so it depends on the position.
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    If your shrub is large and you don't prune it hard it will flower. I would go for something to compliment the flowers.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Anna33Anna33 Posts: 316
    Thanks for this.

    This spot is in a border that gets a good amount of sun in the summer, but the Sambucus is quite large, and is next to a Photinia (not my choice, but it's too big to excavate - for now, anyway), so the soil at the base of the shrub gets less sun than its neighbours.

    I was thinking Geraniums in particular, because they're so good at filling a space without having to be the main focal point, plus they're good for pollinators which is important to me. 

    It looks like Geranium macrorrhizum might be the best best, from what you guys have said. I've seen 'Spessart' elsewhere, and thought it was pretty, so I might look into that one.

    Thank you again, I always appreciate all suggestions!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Interesting @LG_. It flowers and thrives no problem in sun here. It won't be as hot or as persistently sunny here though, as it will be with you.  :)

    The flowers would complement the elder well, as @GardenerSuze mentions.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Buzzy2Buzzy2 Posts: 135
    Mavis Simpson in flower now, and flowers until the frosts.
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    If you want semi-evergreen, Geranium mac. 'Whiteness' is very nice, it's a particularly neat and compact variety. Other than geraniums, Pachysandra terminalis would be a good shout, looks very nice planted in a mass. Perhaps with a couple of ferns dotted among it.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
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