Growing Perennial Geraniums in Iowa

A picture illustrating a purple-hued Geranium sanguineum
Geranium sanguineum

There are about 300 species of geraniums.  There is even a species of Geranium (Geranium maculatum) that is native to Iowa woodlands. Perennial or hardy geraniums are the “true geraniums” -- unlike the common “annual geraniums” (Pelargonium), which are often grown in outdoor containers.  Perennial geraniums are also called cranesbills because their long, slender fruit resembles the beak or bill of a crane.

Care & Growing Conditions

Cranesbills are an underutilized species of perennials in Iowa landscapes.  Cranesbills are reliable bloomers in sites in full sun to part shade with well-drained soils.  They have few insect or disease problems and are often long-lived in the landscape.

Types & Species

There are many species and cultivars available to gardeners.  In fact, the sheer number of cultivars available is daunting.   Perennial geraniums vary in bloom time, flower color, flower size, height, leaf color, and habit.  Depending on species/cultivar, most flower for 2 to 4 weeks, beginning in mid to late spring and finishing sometime in summer.  Flower colors range from pale pinks, lavender, and white to intense purple-pink, maroon, or blues with dark or light contrasting centers or veining. 

A picture illustrating a purple-hued Geranium macrorrhizum
Geranium macrorrhizum

Leaves are lobed or somewhat dissected.  Most have medium green leaves, but a few species like G. pheaum or G. pratense cultivars have dark purple leaves or dark markings on leaves in spring.  Several cranesbill species develop red or burgundy leaf color in fall.  Some species sprawl, while others have a more mounding habit. 

Recommended Species and Cultivars

Finding one that suits your landscape is fairly easy.  Because there are so many species and cultivars available to the public, the Chicago Botanic Garden has evaluated many of them for their performance in the garden.  The table below is information compiled from their published trials of the better performers for Midwestern landscapes. 

Species and Cultivar

Height (inches)

Width (inches)

Flower color

Bloom time

Geranium ‘Ann Folkard’

18

36

Purple-pink w/dark eye

Spring-mid summer

G. ‘Blue Cloud’

26

40

Lavender-blue

Spring-mid summer

G. ‘Brookside’

24

38

Lavender-blue

Spring-late summer

G. x cantabrigiense ‘Biokovo’

9

20

White w/pink

Spring-early summer

G. x cantabrigiense ‘Cambridge’

9

21

Deep pink

Spring

G. x cantabrigiense ‘St. Ola’

10

43

White

Spring-early summer

G. himlayense ‘Gravetye’

15

30

Blue

Spring-early summer

G. ibericum ‘Rosemoor’

12

18

Violet-blue

Spring-early summer

G. ‘Johnson’s Blue’

24

33

Blue

Spring-early summer

G. macrorrhizum ‘Ingwersen’s Variety’

14

42

Light pink

Spring

G. macrorrhizum ‘Lohfelden’

8

18

Pale pink

Spring-early summer

G. maculatum ‘Elizabeth Ann’

22

30

Lavender-pink

Spring-early summer

G. maculatum ‘Espresso’

18

27

Lavender-pink

Spring-early summer

G. ‘Moran’

24

26

Violet-blue

Spring

G. ‘Orion’

30

72

Purple-blue

Spring-late summer

G. ‘Perfect Storm’

8

24

Magenta-pink w/dark eye

Spring-late fall

G. phaeum ‘Margaret Wilson’

13

27

Purple w/white eye

Spring

G. playpetalum

16

25

Violet-blue

Spring-early summer

G. pratense ‘New Dimension’

11

33

Lavender-blue

Spring-mid summer

G. pratense Victor Reiter

14

21

Purple-blue

Spring-mid summer

G. Rozanne (‘Gerwat’)

20

60

Purple-blue

Early summer-fall

G. sanguineum ‘Elsbeth’

20

32

Magenta

Spring-mid summer

G. sanguineum ‘Rod Leeds’

20

60

Magenta

Spring-mid summer

G. soboliferum ‘Butterfly Kisses’

20

50

Purple-pink w/red veins

Late summer-fall

G. soboliferum ‘Starman’

16

36

Purple w/dark centers

Late summer-fall

G. ‘Sweet Heidy’

20

72

Purple w/pale eye

Spring-late fall

G. ‘Tiny Monster’

18

54

Magenta

Spring-late fall

G. wallichianum ‘Buxton’s Variety’

16

48

Purple-blue

Spring-late fall

More Information

Authors:
Last reviewed:
June 2023