Hardy geraniums (almost nothing to do with Pelargonium, most often seen in the form of the fleshy sub-shrub often called 'geranium' in France) are deservedly popular. We must have around 150 varieties of this useful herbaceous plant around our garden: they are colourful, enthusiastic, and great for suppressing weeds. This spring I've used the Lower Garden greenhouse as a 'geranium factory' as part of our weed-fighting strategy: one decent pot of Geranium himalayense 'Derek Cook' in February resulted in eleven young plants which went into the garden this morning!
Geraniums come in many forms - one slow-growing monster (very hard to find) eventually forms a mound up to 2m high! At the opposite extreme some tiny species would get lost in a garden like ours, so we tend to put them in pots underplanting bigger plants. Most geraniums prefer sunny conditions, but a minority do well in part- or full-shade.
Geranium phaeum is one such species. Once you get past its off-putting nickname of 'mourning widow' you find a tough mound-forming plant with many sombre red/purple flowers held above green leaves which often have dark red spots.
A rarer natural form offers (off-)white flowers - Geranium phaeum 'Album'.
In recent years enthusiasts have been breeding forms with different flower colours - often these are the result of natural seed-crossings, and seed from these plants rarely produces anything other than the ordinary colour. This means that, for the gardener, increasing a patch involves patiently waiting for a plant to grow large enough to split.
Such is the growing popularity of Geranium phaeum varieties that Dutch bulb company 'Farmer Gracy' have begun to list them. Here is Geranium phaeum 'Joseph Green' - a rare double flower in a rich maroon/purple - unfortunately not easy to photograph. This plant is from last year - it is such a good 'doer' that I have ordered more.
I found G phaeum 'Rothbury Ruby' recently - this is happiest in damp shade, so we are establishing a clump in the Stream Garden bed.
G phaeum 'Rothbury Cherry' apparently has a pretty pink flower with a darker circle - it will be on my shopping list at plant fairs this summer.
Another rare form turned up in the list of a relatively local young nursery - https://pepinieredelapetitefoulerie.fr/accueil-pepiniere.php
Among many unusual plants listed I found Geranium phaeum 'Waterers Blue' - this offers a mass of tiny blue flowers with white centres, very airy and pretty.
Geranium phaeum, like many of our favourite plants, will never set the world on fire, but they offer a quiet calm beauty, unlike the weeds they are being planted to replace!
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