Geranium ‘Rozeanne'
An End to the Groundcover Blues
Many of us in the Northeast live in old established neighborhoods; that means old established trees and that means shade. When we think about groundcover for even partly shaded areas we tend to think instantly of vinca or pachysandra (our friend Bill Cullina calls pachysandra “the vinyl siding” of groundcovers). While some may want vinyl siding for the yard, some of us are looking for garden plants that do more than just hide the ground, and we think we have a plant that you will want to use in your garden.
While there are many perennial geraniums on the market, most are smaller characters with a bloom time around June and July; pretty little flowers that are great fillers in the partial shade border, but hardly stand alone groundcover. Enter Geranium ‘Rozanne' a naturally occurring hybrid that despite its low height (8-10”), stands head and shoulders above the rest. While many geraniums have fairly limited spreads, in moist, organic soil ‘Rozanne' gracefully envelops a 2' x 2' area with ease. Unlike our vinyl siding groundcovers, Geranium ‘Rozanne' lights up the landscape with violet blue flowers from June to frost; the longest bloom period of any geranium we know (an occasional shearing to 3” rejuvenates a profusion of blooms, but the plant will continue blooming with no attention whatsoever).
From full sun to partial shade, this plant adds a compact, ground hugging form that blooms its heart out. Add to that the reddish foliage colors in fall, and great range (Zones 5 to 8) and you have a plant that works in any garden. Don't have a garden? ‘Rozanne' looks great in a hanging basket too! From groundcover to garden edger to hanging basket, Geranium ‘Rozanne' will work hard for you in you yard and make it look easy. Just one is not enough; find some of these garden gems for your yard today!