Extra Hardy, Impressive Color and Low-Maintenance All in One

This week we're taking the opportunity to introduce you to hardy Geraniums, specifically 'Sir Cedric Morris'. 'Sir Cedric Morris' was one of our most popular feature plants in 2004. Hardy geraniums are ideal for use in perennial gardens, rock gardens, borders or as ground cover, and excellent for difficult-to-mow sunny slopes. They are forgiving and come back year after year with little to no maintenance. These are true perennials not to be confused with florists' geraniums.

'Sir Cedric Morris' is an especially large flowered variety that produces a visually stunning show of luminescent magenta pink blooms with broad overlapping petals against the large, finely divided deep-green leaves. Expect an impressive 24-30 inch mound of color from each plant.

Caution: 'Sir Cedric Morris' Often Creates Jealous Neighbors!

Get ready for plenty of questions from passersby about this unusually beautiful plant. Most will assume that it is expensive and takes extensive garden know-how to create such impressive displays. The secret is, 'Sir Cedric Morris' makes it easy! What you tell others is up to you.

• Forms impressive mounds, about 15-inches high and 30-inches wide
• Visually stunning color contrast, even from a distance
• Reblooms in the autumn
• Handsome deep red fall foliage
• Extra-hardy, reliably returns every year in zones 4-10 - a true perennial
• Very low maintenance
• Deer-resistant
• Adapts to most any soil (except really sodden, wet soils)

'Sir Cedric Morris' thrives in sunny, hot summertime weather. Just water them regularly until established. Expect the long-lasting blooms from late-spring through early-summer.

Planting and Caring

For best results, plant anytime from early spring into early fall. It performs best in a fully sunny or lightly-shaded location and accepts either acid or alkaline soils, as long as they are well-drained. Plant 24 inches apart for a weed-inhibiting ground cover.

• Water-in new plants with a soluble seaweed fertilizer, such as SeaMate. Do not use chemical fertilizers. Water regularly until established.
• Surround new plants with a good mulch or well-rotted garden compost. A thin layer of mulch is recommended for subsequent years. Mulching is best when accomplished early in the season just before plants emerge from their winter break.
• An application of organic fertilizer in early spring is rewarded with extra vigorous plants. Again, avoid chemical fertilizers. Espoma's Plant-Tone is a great all purpose organic fertilizer.
• After flowering, usually mid-summer, they can be lightly trimmed or cut-back completely. New foliage will emerge and a second round of flowering will occur in autumn, most seasons, until the first hard freeze.

Click here to view 'Sir Cedric Morris' Hardy Geranium on the Carroll Gardens website.