Ground Cover Cranesbill (Geranium macrorrhizum)

Shade Perennial Ground Cover Cranesbill
©Manfred Ruckszio – stock.adobe.com

Zone: 3 to 8
Exposure: Part shade to shade
Height: 8″ to 12″
Width: 12″ to 24″
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
Flower color: purple-pink

There are hardy geraniums for most garden situations, yes, even as a ground cover for dappled and full shade.

Cranesbill is extremely easy to grow but needs well drained soil.

Geranium macrorrhizum is a drought-tolerant and shade-tolerant perennial with semi-evergreen, fragrant leaves.

Geranium macrorrhizum

Abundant flowers cover the mounding foliage in late spring. And if cut back hard after the first flush of blooms, it can bloom all summer and into fall.

The foliage turns color in the fall which extends its interest in the garden.

They attract butterflies and repel deer and rabbits.

This post was originally published on June 17, 2020 but was updated with new content on February 15, 2022.