Herb Robert, other geraniums and self-seeding
 

Geranium Robertianum is endemic to my garden. It's a nice enough plant
to look at but it pops up all over the place so I wage war on it.

I wonder about other Geraniums for my dry, shady places but if they
self-seed as much as Herb Robert, I might as well transplant its
seedlings to wanted places and hang the bother and expense of the posher
species/varieties?

So are there some other well-behaved, smashing, dry shade loving
Geraniums that I should consider?

Steve Harris - Cheltenham - Real address steve AT netservs DOT com
A useful bit of gardening software at http://www.netservs.com/garden/

"Steve Harris" wrote in message
...
Geranium Robertianum is endemic to my garden. It's a nice enough plant
to look at but it pops up all over the place so I wage war on it.

I wonder about other Geraniums for my dry, shady places but if they
self-seed as much as Herb Robert, I might as well transplant its
seedlings to wanted places and hang the bother and expense of the
posher
species/varieties?

So are there some other well-behaved, smashing, dry shade loving
Geraniums that I should consider?

Steve Harris - Cheltenham - Real address steve AT netservs DOT com
A useful bit of gardening software at http://www.netservs.com/garden/

Steve.,

These sites show pictures and give details of most of the hardy
geraniums and hopefully they will help you choose what you are seeking.

http://www.fsperennials.co.uk/catalogue/pl_geranium.htm

http://www.bellsbarn.demon.co.uk/ger.../geraniums.htm

http://sprite.netnation.com/~panic4/...ies/photos.htm

Colour and height are important when you are trying to fill a particular
space and you need to bear in mind that hardy geraniums only flower
profusely for about six weeks or so and then they tend to rest and
become rather dull, so you need to intersperse them with other plants
for continuity of flowering.

From my experience, the only geraniums which self seed are Geranium
endressii wargrave pink ( Everyone has it and it is a worthy
contributor) and Geranium x oxonianum 'Rosenlicht, which is also
popular.

Geranium sanguineum 'Max Frei' is compact and gives a lovely show
whereas Geranium sanguineum striation rambles a little, but is equally
effective in its showing.

Increase the former by breaking a shoot from side of plant whereas with
the latter you need to dig up an underground root, cut it into 3cm
lengths, and lay them horizontally and half buried in a layer of
vermiculite.

One of my main attractions at the NEC Flower Show is the hardy geranium
stand. Last year I bought Geranium sanguineum Jubilee Pink, the year
before Geranium sanguineum Shepherds Warning and the year before that
Geranium sanguineum Border Seedling. They display them in flower and
you get what you see.

Good luck,

Emrys Davies.

Thanks!

Steve Harris - Cheltenham - Real address steve AT netservs DOT com
A useful bit of gardening software at http://www.netservs.com/garden/