Species hardy geranium
purple flower with hairy purple sepals, buds, and stems

hardy geranium

Geranium cantabrigiense 'Karmina'

Hardy geranium (Geranium cantabrigiense 'Karmina') is an amazing garden plant because of its vibrant flowers, its hardiness, and its low-maintenance care. Its flowers feature brilliantly colored shades of violet and pink, blooming through summer and autumn. Hardy geraniums can survive in a variety of soil and climate conditions, and even throughout a cold winter in zone 5. They are low to moderate water users, and require no supplemental fertilization. Hardy geranium is a great choice for both vegetable and ornamental gardens, as it does not attract any pests or disease. With its beautiful flowers, easy care, and hardiness, hardy geranium is an exceptional and popular garden plant.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 8

Flowers:

Carmine red Flowers

Sun:

part sun/part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Hardy geranium (Geranium cantabrigiense 'Karmina') should be watered deeply on a regular basis with 1 - 2 inches of water per week. It is best to water in the morning if possible, to allow the foliage to dry before nightfall. Especially during hot, dry periods, the geranium should be given a deep, consistent watering. It is important not to let the soil dry out completely; watch for signs of wilting or yellowing leaves to ensure that your geranium is receiving sufficient water.

sunlight

For hardy geraniums (Geranium cantabrigiense 'Karmina'), a minimum of 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day is recommended. They can handle full sun, though they will appreciate light shade during the hottest part of the day. Make sure they get at least 4 hours of direct sunlight, as they will not flower without ample sunlight exposure. They can also do quite well in partial shade. It's best to place these plants in an area of your garden that gets plenty of sun in the morning, and then some dappled shade for the mid-day and late afternoon hours.

pruning

For the hardy geranium, pruning should be done twice a year. Once in early spring, before new growth appears, and then again in late summer/early fall after flowering has ceased. The goal should be to maintain a tidy shape and to remove any dead, damaged or diseased stems. If the plant has become too large or overgrown, prune back by around 1-third. In order to encourage new growth and flowering, lightly prune the stems to just above the leaf nodes. Deadheading (removing faded or spent blooms) throughout the growing season will also help to encourage new buds and prevent the plant from becoming untidy or straggly.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Geranium cantabrigiense 'Karmina' typically starts flowering in May.

Hardiness Map