How to prune Geranium (hardy cranesbill): complete guide

Why prune Geranium?

Geranium (hardy geranium or cranesbill) is an elegant perennial with fine leaves and delicate pink, purple or white flowers. Unlike pelargonium (the "geranium" of terrace containers), this is a true winter-hardy perennial that lasts for years.

Left unpruned, Geranium grows wild and untidy, looks battered after the first bloom, and stops blooming fairly quickly. With good pruning you keep your plant compact, looking good all season, and giving you two bloom flushes instead of one.

Spring cleanup (April-May)

Geranium does not grow very fast in spring. In April, when you see new growth starting, you do not need to do much. Just remove all dead leaves and stems from last year - cut them flush at about 5-10 cm above ground.

You do not need to cut back hard. Geranium recovers quickly, but it does not grow so vigorously that you need to cut back much. Light cleanup usually suffices.

First bloom (May-June)

Geranium blooms from May until roughly mid-June. Let this bloom grow fully. The plant builds energy and looks beautiful during this bloom with full flower wreaths.

During this period you do not need to do much. Remove some dead leaves from below if you like, but pruning is not necessary.

Hard cut after first bloom (June-July)

This is the secret moment. As soon as the first bloom is past (usually mid-June), cut the ENTIRE plant back to about 10-15 cm above ground. This sounds harsh, but it works perfectly.

You can also prune selectively: cut back only the stems that have already bloomed to mid-way through their length. This is more cautious and also effective.

This hard cutting stimulates the plant to completely regrow. Within two to three weeks you see new green appearing. Within four to six weeks your Geranium is blooming fully again.

Second bloom (July-September)

After the hard cut, your Geranium blooms again from July to September. This second bloom is often just as full as the first. The plant also looks better during this bloom - more compact, neater.

During this period you can gently do some deadheading if you like, but it is not necessary. Geranium loves to bloom.

Summer pruning (August)

If your Geranium starts looking like a tangled mess in August - which sometimes happens in very warm years - you can gently remove dead leaves and remove poorly growing stems. This is however light work, not real pruning.

Autumn cleanup (October-November)

In October, when blooming is past, let your Geranium die down naturally. You do not need to cut it back - you can leave it standing until early spring when you remove the dead parts.

Many gardeners leave dead Geranium standing until March, especially since there is no rush. But if you like you can clean up in October.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my Geranium grow so wild and untidy?

This happens especially with larger cultivars. Some Geranium varieties naturally grow bigger and wilder. This is not really a problem - it does not make them less beautiful. If you do not like wild growth, choose more compact cultivars like 'Rozanne' or 'Pink Spice'.

Can I cut Geranium back harder?

Yes, Geranium is hardy. You can cut it back to 5 cm without problems. But this is rarely necessary. A hard cut to 10-15 cm is usually sufficient.

My Geranium does not bloom again after hard cutting - why?

This rarely happens with healthy plants. Check:

1. Does the plant get enough sun? Geranium loves full sun (6+ hours). In partial shade it blooms less.
2. Does the plant get enough water? After hard cutting the plant needs water while recovering.
3. Is the plant old? Very old Geranium (15+ years) sometimes come back slowly.

Give your plant some fertilizer in July if growth is slow.

How long does Geranium normally live?

With good care, Geranium can last 10-20 years. It is a very reliable perennial. As your plant ages, you can rejuvenate it by division in spring.

What is the difference between Geranium species?

Geranium sanguineum: Dark pink-red flowers, very compact (30-40 cm), very frost-hardy (-20), long bloom. Small individual flowers.

Geranium pratense: Larger than sanguineum (60-90 cm), blue or pink flowers, very reliable, very frost-hardy. Nicer flowers than sanguineum.

Geranium himalayense: Bright blue, 40 cm, very elegant, slightly moister preference. Very beautiful species.

Geranium 'Rozanne': Modern cultivar, pink-purple flowers, 40 cm, very long-blooming (May-October), very strong grower. This is the most popular modern cultivar.

Step-by-step

Step 1: Spring cleanup (April)

Remove all dead leaves and stems from last year. Cut them flush at 5-10 cm above ground.

Step 2: First bloom grows (May-June)

Let your Geranium bloom fully. No pruning now.

Step 3: Hard cut after first bloom (June-July)

As soon as bloom is past, cut your plant back to 10-15 cm. This stimulates complete regrowth.

Step 4: New growth appears (June-July)

Within two to three weeks you see new green. Let this grow.

Step 5: Second bloom (July-September)

Your Geranium blooms again. Enjoy it.

Step 6: Autumn stop (October)

Let your plant die down naturally or clean up carefully.

Popular cultivars

'Rozanne': Pink-purple, 40 cm, very long-blooming (May-October), very strong grower, modern cultivar.

'Biokovo': White with purple veins, 30 cm, very compact, excellent for small gardens.

'Brookside': Bright blue, 45 cm, long bloom, elegant, excellent for borders.

'Pink Spice': Pink, 50 cm, fragrant leaves, full bloom twice, strong grower.

'Spinners': Magenta with dark veins, 60 cm, very striking, strong bloom.

Frequently asked questions

Can I grow Geranium from seed?

Yes, but it is more complicated than from cuttings. Seed grows slowly. Cuttings are faster and easier: take green (non-woody) cuttings of 5-8 cm in July-August, set in moist seed compost, and they root in two-three weeks.

My Geranium gets brown spots on the leaves - what is that?

This can be bacterial leaf spots, especially in wet years. This is not serious and will pass on its own as it gets warmer and drier. Ensure good air circulation by thinning slightly.

What is the difference between Geranium and Pelargonium?

Geranium: Winter-hardy perennial, fine leaves, delicate flowers, dies back to ground in winter.

Pelargonium (the "geranium" of terrace containers): Not hardy, thick green leaves, larger flowers, can stay indoors in winter. This is what you usually see on the terrace.

They are not related, although they belong to the same family.

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