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Geranium 'Rozanne'
Rozanne Cranesbill
Garden hybrid; G. wallichianum × G. himalayense
Overview
Geranium x 'Rozanne' (PP 12175, marketed as Jolly Bee in some markets) is a commercially successful hardy geranium cultivar and a heavily awarded perennial of the 21st century: Perennial Plant Association Plant of the Year 2008 and recipient of 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 appear continuously from June through October, an 18-week bloom season that exceeds most hardy geraniums and many other perennials. The self-cleaning habit means no deadheading is required; spent flowers drop as new buds open, maintaining a fresh display without gardener intervention. The hybrid combines G. wallichianum 'Buxton's Variety' (Himalayan, spreading, late-blooming) with G. himalayense (Himalayan, large-flowered, early-blooming), and the resulting hybrid flowers from the early start of one parent through the late finish of the other. Medium green deeply lobed leaves with marbled darker markings scramble through and among neighboring plants, weaving blue flowers into adjacent plantings. Fall foliage turns red-orange. The scrambling trailing growth can cover 3 feet (0.9 m) of ground per plant, but the stems are not aggressive; they rest on or weave through neighbors without smothering them. Adaptable to a wide range of conditions from full sun to partial shade, clay to sandy soil.
Native Range
Geranium x 'Rozanne' is a garden hybrid between G. wallichianum (native to the Himalayas) and G. himalayense (native to the Himalayas). The cross occurred spontaneously in the garden of Donald and Rozanne Waterer in Somerset, England.Suggested Uses
A widely recommended long-blooming perennial for mixed borders, containers (5 gallons / 19 liters or more), and as a scrambling ground cover between shrub roses and taller perennials. The violet-blue color complements yellow, orange, and white companions. The scrambling habit fills gaps and weaves color through plantings. The self-cleaning no-maintenance continuous bloom suits low-effort landscapes.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1'6" - 2'
Width/Spread2' - 3'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Flowering from June through October, approximately 18 weeks. Continuous production of violet-blue flowers without deadheading. The self-cleaning habit is a defining cultivar feature.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
Sited in full sun to partial shade with 4-10 hours of light. Average well-drained soil of any type. No deadheading needed; the plant is self-cleaning. Watered during establishment; tolerates periodic drought once rooted. The scrambling growth weaves through neighboring plants, and 24-36 inches (60-90 cm) of space per plant accommodates the spread. All growth is cut to ground level in late winter. Fertilization is not used in average soil.Pruning
All growth is cut to ground level in late February to March before new growth emerges. No midsummer shearing needed because of the continuous bloom habit.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring
Maintenance Level
very lowContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons