Hardy geraniums (also known as Cranesbill) have become a real staple in American gardens, and for good reason! They are super easy to grow and even easier to propagate. Whether you want a beautiful flowering cushion in your perennial bed or a vigorous groundcover for those tricky semi-shaded or shady spots under trees, these plants have you covered.
Propagating Your Hardy Geraniums
In many cases, these plants will do the work for you. If left to their own devices, many varieties will happily self-seed until your garden is full of them. However, some popular hybrids—like the famous ‘Rozanne’—don’t produce seeds at all. If you want more of those, you’ll need to step in. Luckily, you can easily propagate them through division or cuttings.
Propagation by Division
The best time to divide your geraniums is in the early spring, just before the new growth really kicks into gear. This is actually a great “rejuvenation treatment” for older, larger mother plants. Here’s how you do it:
- Gently lift the plant out of the ground using a garden fork.
- Try your best not to damage the root system as you lift.
- Shake off any excess soil so you can see what you’re working with.
- Pull the plant apart with your hands, or use a sharp knife or spade to slice it into two or more sections.
- Ideally, each section should have a healthy amount of roots and at least one growth bud (eye).
- Replant your new divisions in a suitable spot and give them a good drink of water.
Division works great for varieties like:
- Cambridge Geranium
- Ashy Cranesbill
- ‘Rozanne’ Hybrid
- Broad-petaled Geranium
- Mourning Widow (Phaeum)
- Caucasian Cranesbill
Propagation by Cuttings
Some types of hardy geraniums respond really well to stem or tip cuttings. In early summer, look for healthy shoots that don’t have flowers on them and snip off about a 4-inch section. Pro tip: Always use clean, sterilized shears to prevent disease! Make your cut just below a leaf node, as this is where the new roots will sprout from the callus tissue. To speed things up, you can dip the ends in rooting hormone. Stick them into some seed-starting mix and keep the soil lightly moist. Once you see new growth, you’ll know they’ve rooted and are ready to be moved to their permanent home in the garden.
The following varieties are perfect for taking cuttings:
- Clarke’s Geranium
- Himalayan Cranesbill
- Broad-petaled Geranium
- Rock Cranesbill
- Bloody Cranesbill (Sanguineum)
