Geranium × 'Rozanne'
Rozanne cranesbill
Garden hybrid; {G. wallichianum} crossed with {G. himalayense}
Overview
Geranium spp. × 'Rozanne' (PP 12175, sold as Jolly Bee in some markets) is a widely grown hardy geranium and a heavily recognized perennial of the 21st century, named Perennial Plant Association Plant of the Year in 2008 and holding the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Plants grow 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) tall and spread 24-36 inches (60-90 cm) wide. Violet-blue saucer-shaped flowers 2.5 inches (6 cm) across, with a white center eye and dark purple veining, open from June through October, an 18-week run that outlasts most hardy geraniums. The habit is self-cleaning, so spent flowers drop as new buds open and no deadheading is needed. The hybrid crosses G. wallichianum 'Buxton's Variety', which spreads and blooms late, with G. himalayense, which is early and large-flowered, so it flowers from the early start of one parent to the late finish of the other. Medium green, deeply lobed leaves with marbled darker markings scramble through neighboring plants, weaving blue flowers into the planting. Fall foliage turns red-orange. A single plant can cover 3 feet (0.9 m) of ground, but the stems rest on or thread through neighbors rather than smothering them. It adapts from full sun to partial shade and from clay to sandy soil. Hardy in zones 4-9.
Native Range
Geranium spp. × 'Rozanne' is a garden hybrid of G. wallichianum and G. himalayense, both native to the Himalayas. The cross arose on its own in the Somerset, England garden of Donald and Rozanne Waterer.Suggested Uses
Grown in mixed borders, containers of 5 gallons (19 L) or more, and as a scrambling ground cover between shrub roses and taller perennials. The violet-blue color works with yellow, orange, and white companions, and the scrambling habit threads color through a planting. The long, low-care bloom suits low-effort borders.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1'6" - 2'
Width/Spread2' - 3'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Violet-blue with a white center and dark veining; saucer-shaped, 2.5 inches (6 cm) acrossFoliage Description
Medium green, deeply lobed, with marbled darker markingsGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow in full sun to partial shade with 4-10 hours of light in average, well-drained soil of any type. No deadheading is needed, since the plant is self-cleaning. Water while establishing; it takes periodic drought once rooted. The scrambling growth threads through neighbors, and 24-36 inches (60-90 cm) of space per plant covers the spread. Cut all growth to the ground in late winter. Feeding is not needed in average soil.Pruning
Cut all growth to ground level in late February or March before new growth starts. No midsummer shearing is needed, given the continuous bloom.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons