The reliable geranium—professionals recommend 9 gorgeous varieties!

Three favorites from Jari Särkkä (Särkkä Perennial Nursery)

Geranium dalmaticum

What is it? The low, neatly mounding Geranium dalmaticum (Dalmatian cranesbill) is a slightly lesser known geranium that gradually spreads into a broad patch.

Why? This pink-blooming variety is exceptionally hardy. It handles drought well and only needs a 10–20 cm layer of soil.

Where to plant? Geranium dalmaticum thrives in a bright, warm spot and is a great choice for a rock garden or as a border edging. However, the soil should be well-draining. Small, blue-flowering perennials, such as spike speedwell, pair well with it. In my own garden, it also grows alongside white edelweiss.

Hardy geranium

What is it? Starting in late June, the upright-growing hardy geranium (Geranium x magnificum) can reach around half a meter in height or even more.

Why? This lush hardy geranium produces an abundance of blooms over a long season, and its dark green leaves are also quite eye-catching. Even though it’s fairly common, it’s not used very often in gardens.

Where to plant? This variety thrives in fertile, moist but well-draining soil, although it dislikes soggy soil. Provide around 30 cm of good soil and plant seedlings 35–40 cm apart. In a perennial bed, it pairs nicely with white Siberian iris or yellow sundrops, and with red perennials such as bee balm in the background.

Cambridge geranium ’Crystal Rose’

What is it? Cambridge geranium (Geranium x cantabrigiense) ’Crystal Rose’ grows into a wide, dense cover. Its fragrant flowers are a bright rose-pink.

Why? If you’re looking for a fast groundcover, ’Crystal Rose’ can spread up to 80 cm. Geraniums have always been my favorite: they stay attractive all summer, come in many flower colors, and have lovely foliage.

Where to plant? Blooming from late June onwards, the Cambridge geranium grows well in many light conditions. As a groundcover perennial, it pairs well with other rock garden plants like aizoon and cliff stonecrop, as well as different thymes.

Särkkä Perennial Nursery is located in Raahe, in Zone V. Website: sarkanperennataimisto.fi

Three favorites from Mari Tigerstedt (Mustila Garden)

Geranium sanguineum

What is it? Geranium sanguineum (var. striatum) is a neat, compact plant for borders and groundcover.

Why? This perennial produces a gorgeous display of pale pink blooms in a sunny or even hot spot. Its dark green, lobed leaves enhance its delicate appearance.

Where to plant? It forms a sweet little mound in a rock garden or at the edge of a flower bed. For background in a border, I’d choose astrantias, as their varieties offer many matching shades. Pair it with Cambridge geranium for a longer geranium season. A sandy yet nutrient-rich soil is ideal.

Geranium pratense ’Dark Reiter’

What is it? Geranium pratense ’Dark Reiter’ gives a striking contrast in a perennial border.

Why? The charm of this geranium lies in its dark, divided leaves. It’s also fairly tough, despite assumptions that unusual varieties are delicate.

Where to plant? The blue-flowered ’Dark Reiter’ is ideal for lining walkways or perennial beds. Make sure to water new seedlings well so they settle in and handle drought better. I’d combine them with pale foliage or blooms, like snow-in-summer or coral bells. In my garden, it grows next to a ’Black Lace’ elder.

Hardy geranium ’Rozanne’

What is it? The violet-blue flowers of the hardy geranium ’Rozanne’ are unusually large for a geranium.

Why? ’Rozanne’ is, in my opinion, the queen of geraniums. Pollinators love this trustworthy plant, which flowers well into September and even tolerates early frosts.

Where to plant? My favorite thrives in nutrient-rich, moist soil but tolerates dry spells and shifting weather. Plant them in a group so they can support each other, or surround them with low, sturdy perennials like lavender. In my own garden, I plant plenty of tulips in the same bed, so ’Rozanne’ can hide their wilting stems.

Mustila Garden is in Elimäki (Zone III). Website: mustilapuutarha.fi

Three favorites from Heidi Eriksson (Harjunpää Nursery)

Geranium sanguineum ’Max Frei’

What is it? Geranium sanguineum ’Max Frei’ forms a dense carpet and blooms from June to August.

Why? ’Max Frei’ is one of my top choices for attracting daytime butterflies and other pollinators. Like all geraniums, it’s incredibly easy to care for.

Where to plant? It can grow in dry or moist conditions, but the soil must be well-draining. ’Max Frei’ is very flexible in a perennial bed, letting you create different heights. It works along edges or among taller plants like irises. Euphorbias, spring bulbs, and autumn stonecrop are also great neighbors.

Bigroot geranium ’Ingwersen’s Variety’

What is it? The vigorous bigroot geranium (Geranium macrorrhizum) ’Ingwersen’s Variety’ quickly covers large areas.

Why? This easy-care perennial does well in sun or shade and is not fussy about soil type. It prefers moderately fertile, humus-rich soil but also survives in dry, rocky spots. Its dense growth keeps weeds at bay. In spring, it quickly forms lush foliage.

Where to plant? It's great for under trees and shrubs—I’ve seen a striking stand under an ornamental crabapple! It also helps take care of tricky slopes. In full sun, the leaves turn bold colors in fall.

Geranium × magnificum ’Johnson’s Blue’

What is it? The stunning geranium × magnificum ’Johnson’s Blue’ is covered in deep purple-blue flowers in full sun, with pretty white throats.

Why? You can create lovely combinations with this profilic, large-bloomed geranium. I’ve grown it with pink coral bells, and it’s also great alongside columbines. After flowering finishes, you can cut it back so fresh green leaves will continue to please for the rest of the season.

Where to plant? ’Johnson’s Blue’ does well in moderately fertile, moist or dry soil, as long as it’s well-draining. Like many geraniums, it doesn’t tolerate waterlogged conditions.

Harjunpää Nursery is located in Karijoki, in Zone IV. Website: perennat.fi