GERANIUM if you are looking for Pelargoniums, whose common name is Geranium click here
GERANIUM. Crane’s bill. Worldwide, temperate regions. This group is a good indicator of recent enthusiasm for flowering perennials. Not long ago, even reputable horticulturists used the name primarily to refer to the related genus Pelargonium, from southern Africa. Now there are dozens of species and hybrids of true Geranium, recognized and sought out enthusiastically by gardeners. These are mostly smaller, slender stemmed perennials with rounded, often dissected leaves and–unlike the pelargoniums—regular (wheel shaped) flowers. Colors include some vivid purples and blues and wild magentas, as well as more subtle shades. They have a variety of uses in the border, for small-scale ground cover and for containers and rock gardens, according to size and shape. Most are easily grown in sun or light shade and most soils, with moderate to regular watering. A few are even fairly drought tolerant, as described below. Hardy at least to 10oF (often 0o) except as shown.
cinereum. This is my favorite of the hardy geraniums. It has a stout, almost woody rootstock, branched to form a tight hummock of evergreen shoots, with nearly round, shallowly cut 1" leaves. The 1" to 1½" flowers, sprinkled over the plant much of the year, have beautifully colored petals and black centers. G. c. ‘Ballerina’ has silky greyish green leaves and silvery pink blossoms with darker veining. G. c. variety subcaulescens has dark, bluish green leaves and blossoms of deep, glowing purplish red.
dalmaticum. A matting species with small, spicily fragrant leaves painted bright, shiny green. It is dressed in spring in dainty pink blossoms clustered on 4-6" stems. Plants should be lightly shaded except along the coast.
endressii ‘Wargrave Pink’. A compact plant making mounds 6-12" high and at least twice as wide. It has deeply lobed, light green leaves and bright pink 1" blossoms with darker veining borne from late spring to fall.
macrorrhizum is a robust species, making a broad mound up to 18” high. It has fragrant, hairy leaves up to 4” broad. Flowers are usually a little over 1” broad and vary in color from white to purplish red. ‘Album’ is any one of several white flowered clones. ‘Ingwersen’s Variety’ is distinguished by its light green, softly shiny leaves and soft pink flowers. ‘Purpurascens’ has deep purplish pink flowers. One of the easiest species to grow.
palmatum (anemonifolium) grows 2-3’ high and gives a bold, tropical impression. Around the thick, upright stems are arranged very large (to 8" or more), five-parted and dissected leaves. These have a highly polished surface and are held on long, sturdy stalks. In the summer months clusters of 1-2" purplish red blossoms are carried at the branch tips. Sun or part shade near the coast, part shade inland (it combines beautifully with ferns in shady spots). Surprisingly drought tolerant, and hardy to around 20oF.