I wonder if hosta or daylilly growers and collectors call all the other plants they grow for companion plants too? For rosaholics all other plants are just that - companions. Roses are the Queen of flowers, but a Queen is nothing without her companions - and to be honest I think a garden with roses alone is a bit boring. So I also collect hardy geraniums or crane bills. I have many different types, but prefer those with a long flowering time.
One of my favorites are Geranium Cinereum 'Ballerina'. It is an alpine type geranium, that forms small mounds about 6 inches tall, and flowering from spring to late fall in flushes. Like other hardy geraniums the plant look more tidy if trimmed down each time it has flowered. It prefers a vell drained soil, but tolerates anything but poorly drained clay soil and are hardy down to USDA zone 5. It spreads slowly compared to other hardy geraniums and may only need to be divided after 3-4 years. It looks nice in the front of mixed borders. It is so elegant - the name ballerina very fitting.
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11 comments:
I love hardy geraniums as they seem to handle the difficult growing conditions in my yard quite well. My neighbors have a lovely one growing in the cracks of their stone steps into the backyard. Lucky for me, they seeded into my yard so now I have some too :) Too bad the one you've mentioned needs a warmer zone than I can provide!
A lovely Lady in Waiting. :-)
What a beautiful "Ballerina" to complement your beautiful roses. I love hardy geraniums too, they are so versatile and their flowers are lovely.
Beautifully expressed. You have a lovely blog.
Philip
It's important to find the right companion plantings. I see you have a touch for that kind of thing. The plant--like rose, usually needs something that won't talk too loudly over the perfect hum of the rose.
You are right Amy - why are they called Hardy Gs - at least this variety likes it 'High and Dry'.
Some of them are however very hardy and easy - others even die here since they do not like clayish soil and cold temps.
My garden has indeed become a very eclectic mix of plants - on the expensive of clear lines and architecture. But it is my garden and I like it that way.
Thank you for stopping by and for your comments and compliments.
On the expensive of --- LOL - sometimes my english makes even me laugh - I meant to write - on the expense of.
I love, love, love hardy geraniums. They cuddle the leggy feet of the queens, don't they? A very good post.~~Dee
Hey hey :)
So two gernaniums that i find that have long bloom times are Max Frei (pink)and Rozanne (blue).Rozanne is a little newer but Max Frei is a tried and true perennial. The pair of them would be a nice addition, if you don't have them already.
For hostas, my favourites are Frances Williams, but that needs more of a shade garden than a sun (because blue hostas sometimes burn in the sun if they don't get enough water). I have another favourite which I'll have to get back to you on. I can't find the name right now though I did plant it in my inlaws garden so I could take a chunk of it later when I move. :D
-Andrea
Dee - they both cover and cuddle!
Andrea - Rozanne or Jolly Bee -most experts believe it is the same Geranium! Really are great! I have 5 of them so far. They replaced my Buxtons Blue since they flower almost continously from may to oktober.
I do not grow Max Frei - but one I think is better among the Sanguineum Geraniums - 'Tiny monster'.
None of these are however as good as the Endressii Geraniums 'rose Clair' and 'Phoebe Noble' IMO. They are workhorse Geraniums - but they spread more and also produces seedlings. They need to be divided every 2. or 3. year into 4 new plants.
I almost wondered why we didn't carry those varieties in the greenhouse but as soon as you said seeding, I knew right away. We try not to get anything that spreads by itself because we get a lot of ameture gardeners who walk in and may accidently buy a plant that self seeds when the plot they have is small and need ot limit the plants they put in.
Nice thouhg. I WILL be keeping my eyes open for them :)
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