When it comes to Hardy Geraniums (also known as Cranesbill), the blooming window really depends on which variety you’ve got in your garden. Some of these beauties are early birds that pop up in the spring, while others take their time and save the show for late summer. A good rule of thumb: the later they start, the longer they tend to stick around!
Early vs. Late Bloomers
If you’re planning to add some Cranesbill to your flower beds, it’s a smart move to check the bloom times first. This way, you can coordinate them perfectly with your other spring or summer favorites. If you’re looking for a real marathon bloomer, I highly recommend Geranium hybrids. These specially bred crosses are famous for their lush, long-lasting flowers. Plus, since they’re sterile and don’t produce seeds, you won’t have to worry about them taking over your garden by self-seeding everywhere.
Bloom Times for Popular Cranesbill Varieties
Here’s a quick cheat sheet for the bloom schedules of the most common garden varieties:
- Cinereum (Gray Cranesbill): Pale pink or white blooms from June to September.
- Cantabrigiense (Cambridge Geranium): Purplish-pink or white flowers from May to July.
- Clarkei (Clarke’s Geranium): Purple-violet or white blooms from June to August.
- Himalayense (Himalayan Cranesbill): Violet-blue or rose-red flowers from June to July.
- Magnificum (Showy Geranium): Stunning violet-blue blooms in May and June.
- Oxonianum (Oxford Geranium): Pretty pink flowers from June to August.
- Renardii (Caucasus Geranium): Pale lilac, blue-violet, or white blooms starting in June/July.
- Wlassovianum (Siberian Cranesbill): Purple-pink to lilac-blue flowers from July to September.
- Pratense (Meadow Cranesbill): Classic wild-look blooms from June to August.
If you want the absolute MVP of blooming time, look no further than the ‘Rozanne’ hybrid. This rockstar starts in May and can keep your garden looking colorful all the way into November!
Mid-Season Care for More Flowers
For many varieties, the natural blooming window only lasts a few weeks. But here’s a pro tip: you can actually trick them into a second act! By giving them a targeted trim—often called a remontant cut—you encourage the plant to produce a fresh flush of flowers. Just snip the spent flower stalks back to just above ground level, making sure to leave the leafy base (the rosette) intact. Toss in a little liquid fertilizer, and you’re good to go.
Varieties That Love a Second Bloom
These specific types are especially grateful for a mid-season haircut and will reward you with a second round of flowers:
- Clarke’s Geranium: Extends its show through August.
- Endressii (French Crane’s Bill): Blooms again through June.
- Himalayan Cranesbill: Second bloom lasts through July.
- Showy Geranium: Keeps going through June.
- Oxford Geranium: Stays colorful through August.
- Phaeum (Mourning Widow): Extends its season into June or July.
- Meadow Cranesbill: Keeps blooming through August.
- Psilostemon (Armenian Cranesbill): Blooms through July.
- Sylvaticum (Wood Cranesbill): Second flush through July.
- Garden Hybrids: These can often keep flowering well into the fall.
