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In search of the true geraniums

Sunset, March, 1998 by Lauren Bonar Swezey

In the heart of Northern California's Marin County, along a steep, narrow, winding road, is an unusual nursery called Geraniaceae. You would not expect a nursery so far off the beaten track to be a great success, but this one is, partly because of the unique plants grown here, but mostly due to its owner's dedication to one fascinating genus - Geranium. Robin Parer owns Geraniaceae, and the nursery's name hints at her specialty: hardy geraniums.

Parer grows more than 300 hybrids, selected color forms, and species of true Geranium. Don't confuse these hardy plants with those other "geraniums," which actually belong to the genus Pelargonium. Many of Parer's geraniums will grow outdoors even in the coldest climates.

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She discovered the plants during an extended stay in England. "When I saw the diversity of geraniums available, I thought, 'This is something I could do.'" Pater got started in the early 1980s, when few people in the United States were offering these geraniums for sale. Ever since, she's been "preaching the gospel about hardy geraniums" at garden society meetings. Apparently, her passion has rubbed off. Hardy geraniums have been steadily rising in popularity as gardeners have come to recognize their value as practical plants with few problems.

True geraniums don't bear the big, showy blooms that pelargoniums do. "Geranium flowers aren't enormous. They've retained the quality of a wild-flower, even though they've been hybridized. There are lots of color forms, leaf shapes, and sizes. In fact, there's a geranium for every spot in the garden," Pater says. She recommends that geraniums be grown as fillers around structural plants (shrubs and taller perennials). "I always tell my customers to grow them for their attractive foliage. Then the flowers will be a bonus." Ten of Parer's favorite plants are described on page 80.

You can visit Parer's nursery, Geraniaceae, by calling (415) 461-4168 for an appointment. Request a mail-order catalog ($4) or check it out on the Web at www.freeyellow.com/members/geraniaceae. You can also order a number of these geraniums from Digging Dog Nursery (Box 471, Albion, CA 95410; 707/937-1130) and Heronswood Nursery (7530 N.E. 288th St., Kingston, WA 98346; 360/297-4172).

CARING FOR GERANIUMS

A good rule of thumb is to plant them in locations that get morning sun and afternoon shade, particularly in hot, inland climates.

Before planting, mix compost or other organic amendment into the soil. Keep soil moist but not wet. Hardy geraniums don't need additional fertilizer, unless they're grown in a container.

After the first flush of bloom, give plants (except G. maderense) a light haircut to remove bedraggled foliage, and mulch the plants; within a few weeks, they'll put on a flush of new leaves and flowers.

10 best geraniums

FOR BEDS AND BORDERS

G. magnificum. Large (2-inch-wide) violet-blue flowers with deep purple veins; dark green, quilted foliage. Plants reach 18 inches tall and 30 inches wide. Massive bloom in early spring, followed by sporadic flowers. Robin Parer's comments: "Wonderful with blue or purple columbine." Sunset climate zones 3-9, 14-24.

G. sanguineum striatum. Pale pink flowers with dark pink veins; deep green, divided leaves. 10 inches tall by 30 inches wide. Particularly heat-tolerant. Slow to establish; best by third year. "Delicate, pretty foliage." Zones 3-24.

G. wallichianum 'Buxton's Variety'. Clear blue flowers with white centers; medium-green foliage faintly blotched with light green. 15 inches tall by 36 inches wide. Blooms midsummer to fall (year-round in mild areas); flowers fade to pink in hot climates. "The flower color is irresistible." Zones 3-9, 14-24.

SCRAMBLERS AND SPILLERS

These look best growing through shrubs or over banks and walls.

G. 'Ann Folkard'. Purplish magenta flowers with black eyes; chartreuse foliage. 12 inches tall by 48 inches wide. Blooms from spring to late fall. Can be grown in containers. "Dynamite with Heuchera and Lonicera nitida 'Baggesen's Gold' honeysuckle." Zones 3-9, 14-24.

G. 'Frances Grate'. Pale mauve flowers; leaves gray-green above, silvery beneath. 15 to 18 inches tall by 36 inches wide. Blooms from spring through fall. Very heat-tolerant. "The plant develops into a great billowy mound." Zones 5-9, 14-24.

G. riversleaianum 'Mavis Simpson'. Medium-pink flowers; gray-green leaves. 18 inches tall by 48 inches wide. Blooms from spring through fall. "Tops for Southern California." Zones 5-9, 14-24.

THREE MADE FOR LIGHT SHADE

G. maderense. Luminous rose-pink blooms with paler veins develop on rounded flower heads 2 1/2 feet wide; enormous (19-inch-wide) green, divided leaves. 48 inches tall by 60 inches wide, Flowers open over a four- to five-week period in spring. Biennial or short-lived perennial (central stem dies after bloom, but offsets form new plants; also self-seeds). "Looks wonderful even when not in bloom." Zones 15-24.

In search of the true geraniums

Sunset, March, 1998 by Lauren Bonar Swezey

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