Hardy geraniums might not top the list of favorite plants. Sure, they’re reliable, easy to grow, and bloom for long periods, making them highly practical. But, they’re a bit like potatoes (and sorry for saying this in Ireland)—absolutely essential, yet not the most exciting option on the menu.
That said, just as we still enjoy potatoes now and then, we do keep a few geraniums scattered throughout the garden. There’s no denying their value as ground cover, and certain varieties, like the standout ‘Rozanne,’ are genuinely spectacular. With its generous, deep blue flowers and months-long blooming season, ‘Rozanne’ deserves a place in every garden.
Even so, the personal favorite geranium isn’t one of the flashy, trendy varieties. Instead, it’s a little less well-known but just as charming: Geranium pyrenaicum, a native of Europe that grows across much of the continent, including parts of southern England. Known as the hedge cranesbill, this variety produces delicate mauve flowers over an impressively long season.
It’s unclear whether it’s truly native to the UK since it wasn’t recorded there until 1762. Among its variations is the white-flowered ‘Summer Snow,’ which initially seems appealing but ultimately feels underwhelming. While it does have the advantage of shedding its petals before they brown, the small size of the flowers combined with its tendency to self-seed prolifically makes it less desirable in the eyes.
On the other hand, the bright lilac-purple blooms of ‘Bill Wallis’ are a completely different story. For one, the color is irresistible. It’s vivid and cheerful without being overwhelming, with each flower measuring about 1 cm across. As they age, the blossoms may take on a slightly bluer hue, and their intensity seems to glow particularly at dusk.
This plant is a short-lived perennial that self-seeds generously, though it rarely becomes a nuisance. If sown in spring, it can even flower in its first year. It’s remarkably hardy, thriving in sun or shade and in a variety of soils—whether clay, sandy, moist, or dry. You might even find it popping up in gravel or walls. Another bonus: deer and rabbits typically avoid it, and mildew is rarely an issue.
Its rounded leaves form a low rosette initially, before sending up branching stems that can reach up to 45 cm. In its second year, flowering begins as early as April and often continues until October. While the plant may look a bit ragged by then, cutting back the spent stems encourages new growth.
Sometimes, the plant exhausts itself by blooming, but its seeds scatter freely, ensuring plenty of replacements. These seeds germinate over time, with the sprouting in summer or autumn and others waiting until spring—a feature that’s convenient if you want them, but less so if you’re trying to control their spread.
Like most geraniums, this one happily mingles with other plants in the border. It typically grows to about 30 cm high and 45 cm wide but may climb to 60 cm if it finds a willing neighbor. Its tendency to self-seed can result in the surprising and delightful color combinations. For instance, it pairs beautifully with yellow daylilies, pink roses, lavender, or even blue or yellow hostas.
Due to its somewhat untidy growth habit, you won’t often find this variety in garden centers. However, seeds are widely available and offer the easiest way to bring this delightful little plant into your garden.
Four local forms of wild Pyrenean Cranesbill (Geranium pyrenaicum)
Video by New Botany
