Geranium Rozanne Guide: How to Grow Vibrant Blooms
Geranium Rozanne brings gorgeous color to the landscape with its long-lasting, large blue blossoms. This hardy perennial geranium, commonly known as cranesbill, is heat-tolerant, pest- and deer-resistant, and offers low maintenance. Rozanne will often bloom from spring through fall, with a mid-summer break. Plants reach up to two feet tall and wide and grow in USDA Zones 5 through 8. Geranium Rozanne was named the Perennial Plant Association Plant of the Year in 2008. Here, we’ll take you through everything you need to know to grow and care for Geranium Rozanne at home successfully.
How to Grow Geranium Rozanne – The Essentials:
| Botanical Name: | Geranium Rozanne |
| Also Known As: | Cranesbill or hardy geranium |
| Hardiness Zones: | USDA 5 to 8 |
| Flowering Months: | May through August, then may bloom again through early fall |
| Growing Difficulty: | Easy |
| Type of Plant: | Perennial |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun through partial shade |
| Temp & Humidity: | Heat tolerant |
| Watering Needs: | Keep moist |
| Soil Preferences: | Well-draining, moist, moderately fertile soil; 5.8 to 6.3 pH |
| Feeding: | A yearly application of compost in poor soil, spring feeding with balanced, time-release fertilizer |
| Growth Expectations: | 1.5 to 2 feet tall and wide |
| Toxicity: | Non-toxic to humans and pets |
How to Grow Geranium Rozanne
Are Geranium Rozanne Considered Easy to Grow at Home?
Geranium Rozannes are known for being easy to grow. These adaptable plants can thrive in a range of environments. As a Perennial Plant Association’s Plant of the Year, Rozanne is also:
- Low maintenance
- Pest- and disease-resistant
- Attractive in multiple seasons
What are the Best Locations to plant Geranium Rozanne?
Geranium Rozanne adds a bright pop of color at the front of borders and beds and looks especially nice in front of leggy plants. It’s heat-tolerant, so it grows well in containers, hanging baskets, and rock gardens.
What are the Best Times of Year to Plant Geranium Rozanne?
Plant Rozanne from mid-March to April or mid-September to October for the best results.
Growing Geranium Rozanne Plants from Seed vs Planting Young Nursery Plants
Because Rozanne is a hybrid, it rarely sets seed (or grows true to seed when it does). Buy nursery plants or divide a well-established Rozanne for use in your garden.
What to Do Before Planting
Before planting Geranium Rozanne, choose a space with enough room for the plants’ spread, typically up to 2 feet. Amend the soil with organic matter such as compost or peat moss.
What’s the Best Soil for Geranium Rozanne Plants?
Geranium Rozanne grows best in moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Established plants have some drought resistance, but they don’t like to be dry for long periods. Rozanne also hates wet feet. Aim for pH levels from 5.8 to 6.3.
Geranium Rozanne Light Preferences
Plant Rozanne in full sun for the biggest, brightest blooms. However, the plants will also grow nicely in partial shade.
Temperature & Humidity Preferences
Geranium Rozanne is relatively heat-tolerant. However, if you live in a warm region, your plants may do better with afternoon shade.
How to Care for Geranium Rozanne
Watering Geranium Rozanne Plants
Geranium Rozanne is a low-maintenance plant that can tolerate some drought. They prefer moist, well-drained soil, so don’t over-water.
How, When, and Why to Fertilize Geranium Rozanne
In many cases, all Rozanne needs is a yearly application of compost. However, if you’re growing in poor soil, you can feed in spring with a balanced, time-release fertilizer.
Pruning & Cutting Back Geranium Rozanne Plants
If Rozanne spreads too much or looks gangly, prune in the summer. The plant will branch and may re-bloom.
At the end of winter, cut the plants back to two or three inches tall. Rozanne can be divided every two to three years.
Propagation
As a hybrid, Rozanne rarely seeds. Instead, propagate through division in fall, when the growing season is over, or in spring before new growth takes off.
To propagate, carefully dig up the entire root clump. You can divide the clump in half or into smaller pieces, then replant the pieces and water thoroughly.
Overwintering Geranium Rozanne Plants
Geranium Rozanne is hardy down to USDA zone 5, and in Zone 4 when layered with mulch. Offer additional protection for plants in containers by:
- Cutting off spent foliage after the growing season
- Moving plants to a covered location such as sheds, garages, greenhouses, polytunnels, covered patios, or against the side of a house or outbuilding
- Watering through the winter to keep soil moist but not waterlogged
- Feeding when new growth starts to show
Repotting Geranium Rozanne Grown in Containers
When reporting a Rozanne, choose a container that’s at least 18 inches wide. Most importantly, containers must have adequate drainage.
When repotting, throw in a handful of fish or bone meal. You may want to fertilize potted Rozannes once a month using a balanced liquid fertilizer.
Common Geranium Rozanne Problems & How to Treat Them
Geranium Rozanne tolerates a range of conditions but dislikes wet feet. Signs of an overwatered plant include yellowing in lower leaves and drooping blossoms. Underwatered plants may show shriveled, dry-looking blooms and foliage.
Discolored leaves, stems, and flowers may also indicate a bacterial or fungal disease. Rarely, Geranium Rozanne may suffer from leaf spots or rust. Prune and dispose of affected foliage, then apply fungicides to treat.
Geranium Rozanne Plant FAQs:
What type of geranium is Rozanne?
Rozanne is a hardy geranium, also known as a cranesbill. It’s a hybrid of Himalayan geranium (G. himalayense) and the cultivar G. wallichianum ‘Buxtons Variety.’
Is Geranium Rozanne blue or purple?
Rozanne’s blossoms are somewhere in the middle. The plants’ cup-shaped flowers bloom in a brilliant blue-violet shade with white centers.
How quickly does Geranium Rozanne grow?
Geranium Rozanne grows quickly but only reaches heights of about 1.5 feet and widths of about 2 feet. While the stems can spread, they’re easy to cut back, and pruning may even spur new blossoms.
Is Rozanne geranium invasive?
Rozanne is not invasive. As a hybrid, it rarely sets seed.
Should I cut back Geranium Rozanne?
You can cut back Rozanne if it starts to look gangly. You can divide plants every two to three years.
Wrap Up
Geranium Rozanne adds bright color to the garden for months on end. This low-maintenance perennial is relatively pest- and disease-free, and rabbits and deer tend to avoid it. With its gorgeous blue-purple blooms and attractive foliage, this stunning plant’s popularity is no surprise.
More Geranium Flower Growing Guides:
For more essential step-by-step guides to growing and caring for Geranium plants at home, please see our in-depth features Geranium Orion, and Geranium maderense (Madeira cranesbill).