Hardy Geraniums

Should i cut my hardy Geraniums right back to the ground or just cut the spent flowers off ? any info would be greatfully recieved,i'm getting quite a 'thing' for my hardys...

 

I take the whole thing down to the ground,then water and feed. Then a whole new space is opened up for plants which will flower in to the autumn. I've got nicotiana, calendula and snapdragons coming along....

 

Really, I don't cut them back. In fact they stay so nice even through the hard blizzard.

 

I promised myself to get rid of the hardy geraniums this year - they do tend to smother other nearby plants and spread at a great rate of knots. It's fine to cut them back as they will come again but I think this is the last time.....
Was told that there are some available which remain low growing and under control. Does anyone know which varieties?

 

Hi Barnaby

I have 'Jolly Bee', which has a neat, fairly low-growing habit and lovely blue flowers with white centres. Unlike many hardy geraniums, it keeps blooming all summer.

 

I cut mine back, not quite to the ground, and get a second late flush from them.

 

I love hardy geraniums, have a couple of really pretty ones, only small flowers but lovely, pyrenaicum 'Suumer Snow' and pyrenaicum 'Summer Sky' cut them right back each time they flower and they flower three times a year.

 

Row of Hardy Geraniums along the back side and hostas in the front.

 

Thankyou for your replies,very helpful.
I'l go for the 'wimbledon chop' then...