Covering Ground with Geraniums June 7, 2014

Weeding being a big issue here on 2 semi-wild acres, hence the name of my blog, my greatest allies have been ground covers and plants that reseed or spread well and choke out the weeds.  One of my biggest successes has been hardy geraniums, which are starting to bloom now.

Today I am linking with-

Today's Flowers hosted by Denise

Saturday's Critters hosted by Eileen

Macro Monday 2 hosted by Gemma and Mystical Magical Teacher

I Heart Macro hosted by Laura

I'd Rather B Birdin' hosted by Hootin' Anni

Wild Bird Wednesday hosted by Stewart M

We were off this weekend on a camping trip with our grown children and grandkids to Cape Lookout State park in Oregon.

A swallow was nesting on top of a light fixture at one of the bathrooms.   "Can't a girl sit on her nest in peace?"

And Dad was chilling nearby, "I've got this."

I would have to say Geranium oxonianum 'Claridge Druce' has been my greatest star, spreading by seeding, always looking fresh and neat, and blooming from late spring to fall.

Another lovely plant that spreads from seed is Geranium sanguineum, which I have in three colors, magenta, deep purple, and light pink (Max Frei, John Elsley, and Striatum).  It has very delicate incised foliage and makes lovely clumps that look like bouquets when blooming.

Here is a mix from my front banner bed, with some purples that may be G. magnificum-

A wonderful ground cover for dry shade under trees, that is evergreen but with a very short bloom season so not important as a flower, is Geranium macrorrhizum, with scented foliage reminescent of pine.  It spreads incredibly by rhizomes, this is all from one plant over 16 years.   The taller one, lighter pink, is another geranium.

A delicate spreader that is great for a small area is Geranium cantabrigiense 'Karmina', it grows in some difficult areas, and has been long-lasting in my garden, with tiny leaves as well-

One that spreads very slowly but has begun to form some nice clumps, and has shiny delicate foliage, is Geranium nodosum-

A geranium I grew from seed, Geranium pratense 'Splish Splash', has spread from seed and reverted to a blue-purple color, it grows to a greater height than most, nearly 3' / 1m, and is impressive when blooming for a short time in late spring to summer-

One that hasn't spread but starts out as a lovely clump then trails out to several feet and has delightful violet flowers with a sheen that cameras don't seem to be able to capture, is Geranium 'Ann Folkard', here in its spring yellow-green delightful foliage-

I have a long list of geraniums that are no longer with me as well, some were sensational, like G. incanum with silvery foliage, while they lasted, but for some reason they disasppeared.  But the ones that do well make up for the ones that don't.  

What plants or geraniums have made good ground covers for you?

Hannah

Like the swallow on the nest, we all need a defender.

Peter reminded me of this song mentioning swallows so I added it too-

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