I have many passions. At the moment it is geraniums. A very diverse genus. If shade is your problem you can not beat geranium nodosum. In fact, in can be a nuisance, seeding everywhere. There are many hues, Silverwood, Clos du Coudray and my favorite Fielding’s folly.

Geranium phaeum is another good performer with the added bonus of differently marked leaves. Springtime stands out but there are many varieties.

Geranium pyrenaicum is another prolific seeder but very easy to pull out, and a joy in two different forms, Bill Wallis and Isparta.

Geranium macrorrhizum and  geranium sylvaticum are also shade tolerant  

It is easy to become hooked. A good idea is to join the HPS geranium group. They are experts and hold a study day each year. They also publish a newsletter which whets your appetite to obtain more varieties. All the specialist groups are excellent – do have a look.

From left to right: Isparta, Sylvaticum album, Bill Wallis, Springtime, Fielding Folly, Macrorrhizum “Ingwersens’s” Macrorrhizum “Beverley”, Phaeum.