Hardy geraniums – sometimes referred to as cranesbills – are among the most popular garden perennials. And it’s easy to see why. They’re easy to grow, take a wide range of conditions, are tough and need little in the way of care and attention.
The flower colour ranges through strong or subtle shades of violets, blues, pinks, magenta and white, and many have attractive veining in a contrasting stronger colour. Many varieties flower for months on end throughout summer and well into autumn, and some start flowering as early as late spring. The flowers are generally quite small, but produced in huge abundance to almost cover the plants when in full bloom.
The hand-like foliage of many varieties is also highly attractive in its own right, producing various quilting, veining, and colour blotching. And, as many of the commonly grown varieties are low growing, their dense carpet-like foliage makes them good ground cover plants.
They are cold and frost hardy, so shouldn’t be confused with the very closely related pelargoniums, which aren’t and are used mainly as summer bedding plants.
Hardy geraniums are a popular perennial plant that can provide years of beauty in the garden. As winter approaches many gardeners wonder if they should cut back hardy geraniums to help the plants survive the cold weather. The simple answer is yes – cutting back hardy geraniums in fall is highly recommended to keep them healthy.
Why Cutting Back Hardy Geraniums for Winter is Important
Cutting back hardy geraniums serves several key purposes:
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Removes dead foliage that can harbor fungi and pests over winter
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Prevents plants from becoming flattened by heavy snow or ice,
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Allows new spring growth to emerge without impediment.
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Improves air circulation around the crown to minimize rotting.
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Redirects the plant’s energy into the roots rather than seed production.
Trimming away the expired leaves and stems in autumn keeps hardy geraniums looking neat and tidy. It also eliminates places where diseases and insects can overwinter. Clearing out this debris enhances the plant’s vigor and health.
When to Trim Hardy Geraniums for Winter
The optimal time to cut back hardy geraniums is in late fall after several hard frosts have occurred in your region. This is generally late October to mid November for most areas. The foliage will yellow or brown and appear unkempt when the plant goes dormant.
Cutting too early while plants are still actively growing risks damaging new basal growth starting to emerge for spring. Waiting until early winter allows full translocation of nutrients from the leaves back to the roots before pruning.
How to Cut Back Hardy Geraniums Step-by-Step
Cutting back hardy geraniums properly takes some care and attention:
Gather Needed Tools
Have clean, sharp bypass hand pruners, garden scissors or hedge shears ready to trim plants. Gloves are also useful to protect hands from thorns and irritants.
Identify Healthy Stems
Before cutting, inspect geraniums and locate any stout, green stems to save. Avoid pruning weak, brittle or diseased stems.
Snip Back Stems
Use pruners or scissors to snip off healthy stems to around 4-6 inches above the ground. Make cuts at a 45 degree angle just above a node or leaf joint.
Remove Dead Foliage
Clear away any shriveled, damaged or spotted leaves, disinfecting tools between cuts. Eliminate debris around the base of plants.
Apply Mulch
Spread a 2-3 inch layer of shredded bark, leaves or other organic mulch around the base to insulate roots from cold.
Consider Extra Protection
In very cold climates, cover plants with a frost blanket or burlap for added insulation after cutting back.
The Benefits of Mulching Geraniums After Pruning
Mulching hardy geraniums after cutting them back for winter provides additional protection:
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Insulates the soil and roots from temperature extremes.
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Reduces frost heave and prevents plants from being pushed out of the ground.
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Conserves soil moisture so geraniums don’t dry out as rapidly.
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Suppresses weeds that compete for water and nutrients.
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Allows good air circulation so the crown stays dry.
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Gently fertilizes as the mulch breaks down over time.
Leave a 2-3 inch ring of space around the crown when mulching to prevent rotting. Grass clippings, chopped leaves, pine straw, or other organic materials make ideal winter mulches.
Pruning Hardy Geraniums in Early Spring
While fall is preferred, you can also opt to leave hardy geraniums unpruned over winter. Trim off remaining dead foliage and stems in early spring once you see new growth starting to emerge up from the base.
Spring pruning tidies up any damage from winter, makes room for new foliage, and prevents self-seeding. However, leaving plants intact over winter provides some wildlife shelter and winter interest in the garden.
Whether you prune in fall or spring, be sure to sterilize pruning tools before each use to avoid transmitting diseases.
Best Hardy Geranium Varieties for Cutting Back
Many popular hardy geranium species respond well to cutting back in autumn:
- Geranium x cantabrigiense
- Geranium macrorrhizum
- Geranium sanguineum
- Geranium pratense
- Geranium himalayense
- Geranium wlassovianum
- Geranium x oxonianum
Avoid cutting evergreen types like Geranium maculatum back severely. Just remove spent blooms and tattered leaves.
Signs Hardy Geraniums Are Ready to Grow in Spring
Watch for these cues hardy geraniums are reactivating after winter dormancy:
- Emerging reddish or green leaves near the center
- Swelling leaf buds at the crown
- New lateral shoots arising from the roots
- Bud break on stems
Hold off fertilizing or overwatering until several inches of new growth are visible. Plants are then ready for accelerated spring care.
Caring for Hardy Geraniums After Winter
To help hardy geraniums recover after winter dormancy:
- Remove mulch from crowns to allow sunlight to reach emerging leaves
- Pull weeds and clear debris from around plants
- Inspect for disease or insect damage
- Prune out dead stems and leaves
- Water thoroughly as needed until established
- Apply balanced organic fertilizer monthly
- Monitor for slugs, snails and other pests
Cutting back hardy geraniums in late fall or early spring is highly recommended to keep these perennials healthy and blooming year after year. Removing tattered foliage before winter helps avoid disease and pest issues. Mulching after pruning insulates the roots from cold damage. With simple seasonal care, hardy geraniums will thrive for many years in the garden.
Where to grow hardy geraniums
Most hardy geraniums thrive in light shade, whilst the smaller alpine types do best in full sun. Hardy geraniums can cope with any soil type and some, such as Geranium sylvaticum and its cultivars, can cope with very dry conditions.
Hardy geraniums can be great self-seeders and plants will often grow in tiny cracks in paving, proving how tough they are.
Where to buy hardy geraniums
Hardy geraniums need very little care. They’re not targeted by rabbits, and slugs and snails will eat other plants in preference. They can be cut back right to the ground after their first flush of flowers and will produce fresh foliage and more flowers in the same summer. Some hardy geraniums offer attractive autumn foliage, so resist the urge to cut back too quickly after flowering.
Watch our No Fuss video guide to cutting back hardy geraniums, featuring Rosie Yeomans:
There is seldom a need to propagate hardy geraniums as seedlings are easily lifted and potted up from the garden. Plants can be lifted and divided in spring. Growing hardy geraniums from seed can be tricky and long-winded.
Preparing Hardy Geraniums for Winter: How to Cut Them Back
FAQ
Do you cut back hardy geraniums in winter?
“All hardy geraniums, without exception, should be cut back to the ground when they start to tire,” Monty Don wrote in the Daily Mail.Oct 4, 2023
How to winterize hardy geraniums?
Put the box or bag on a shelf and keep it in a basement or other dry, dark, cool spot. Check plants every four weeks. If stems start to shrivel, soak the rootball in a bucket of water for an hour or two. Allow plant and soil surfaces to dry to a dripless state before returning geraniums to their storage containers.
Where do you cut geraniums for winter?
To overwinter geraniums, lift plants that are in garden soil or large pots and pot them into a smaller pot. This should be done before the first frost. Remove any damaged leaves and faded flowers. Cut plants back by about a third and position in a frost-free but bright place.
Should you cut back perennial geraniums in the fall?
Shape the Plant by Pruning
Depending on your zone, this might need to happen anywhere from August to late October. Use a pair of reliable shears to trim back perennial geraniums to 2 or 3 inches above the soil, cutting at nodes or new growth points when possible.
How do you prune geraniums for winter?
Follow these steps to prune your geraniums for winter: 1. Remove Dead or Diseased Growth: Inspect the plant and remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches or leaves. Cut these stems back to the base of the plant. 2. Cut Back Long Stems: For leggy geraniums, cut back the long, sprawling stems to within 4-6 inches of the soil.
Can geraniums be cut back for winter?
After cutting hardy geraniums back for winter, consider loosening the soil around plants with a hand trowel. This improves drainage and oxygen circulation around the roots. Topdress beds with a thin layer of compost or shredded leaves to further protect root systems from winter damage.
How do you care for a geranium?
1. Remove Dead or Diseased Growth: Inspect the plant and remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches or leaves. Cut these stems back to the base of the plant. 2. Cut Back Long Stems: For leggy geraniums, cut back the long, sprawling stems to within 4-6 inches of the soil. This will stimulate new growth and promote bushiness.
How to cut back geraniums?
Learning how to cut back geraniums also requires you to trim back any leggy stalk. The leggy stalks are the stems that have grown too long, giving your plant a sparse appearance. Such stalks should be chopped off very close to the base of the plant. Doing so will allow your geranium to grow as a mound looking fuller and bushier.
Should geraniums be pruned?
Remove any dead, damaged, or diseased sections of the plant and then prune all stems back to around 6 inches tall. If you would rather keep the geranium growing in a warm and light spot indoors over winter, the plants can either be left unpruned or trimmed lightly.
Can you cut geraniums with scissors?
Floristry scissors are often the ideal tool when pruning softer perennial flower stems, such as geraniums. They are easy on the hands, and give super sharp cuts. Geraniums can grow very tall and leggy if not pruned