Plenty thrive in shade, too. Whether its at the foot of a north-facing wall or simply the dappled shade of deciduous trees, these varieties will thrive as long as the soil is reasonably fertile and isnt parched or waterlogged.
Geraniums are classic garden flowers that can brighten up any outdoor space with their colorful blooms. But many gardeners wonder if these sun-loving plants can survive and thrive in partial shade. I have done extensive research on growing geraniums in shade and want to share my findings in this comprehensive guide.
Geraniums, also known as pelargoniums, are native to South Africa. There are over 200 species of geraniums with different growth habits – some are upright while others are trailing. The most popular types used in gardening are zonal geraniums, which have round florets with two different colors. They can bloom from spring until fall if cared for properly.
Geraniums need at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal growth and flowering. They love heat and light. Too much shade can result in reduced blooms and leggy, weak growth. But that doesn’t mean you can’t grow geraniums in partial shade! With some care and planning, they can do quite well.
What is Partial Shade?
Partial shade refers to areas that receive filtered sunlight or dappled shade for around 3-6 hours daily. Some examples of partial shade locations include:
- East or west-facing walls that get morning or afternoon sun.
- Under high, thin tree canopies that allow some sunlight to pass through.
- Beside taller plants or structures that provide a few hours of shade per day.
If an area gets less than 3 hours of sun per day, it is considered full shade – which is not ideal for geraniums. And full sun is 6 or more hours of direct light. Partial shade falls somewhere in between.
Can Geraniums Grow in Partial Shade?
The simple answer is yes! With proper care, geraniums can grow quite well in partial shade While they prefer full sun, they are adaptable plants that can modify their growth based on lighting conditions
In partial shade, geraniums may grow leggy as they reach for light Growth may be reduced, and blooms smaller But with adequate water and fertilizer, they will still flower reliably throughout the seasons.
Certain types, like regal or Martha Washington geraniums, actually prefer partial shade. Their large blooms hold up better in filtered light. Other varieties can acclimate as long as their basic needs are met.
Caring for Geraniums in Partial Shade
Growing geraniums in partial shade takes some adjustments in care to maximize growth and flowering. Here are a few tips:
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Water thoroughly: Check soil moisture frequently. Geraniums may need more frequent watering in shade to prevent wilting.
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Fertilize regularly: Use a balanced fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during growing season. This provides nutrients to make up for reduced sunlight.
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Prune for shape: Pinch back leggy branches to encourage compact growth habit. Remove spent blooms to promote new flowers.
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Provide good drainage: Plant in rich, loamy soil. Amend with compost if needed. Ensure pots and beds drain well to prevent soggy roots.
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Choose suitable varieties: Go for regal, Martha Washington or other shade-tolerant types best suited for partial shade conditions.
With a little extra care, it is certainly possible for geraniums to thrive in partial shade! Monitor your plants and adjust care as needed.
Ideal Geranium Varieties for Partial Shade
While most geraniums can handle some shade, certain varieties are better choices for filtered light conditions. Some top options include:
Regal or Martha Washington Geraniums
These larger-flowered types originated as houseplants so they are quite adaptable to lower light. The lush blooms come in many colors like pink, red, white or purple.
Rex Geraniums
Grown for their stunning colorful foliage, Rex geraniums tolerate partial shade well. Provide rich, moist soil for these beauties.
Rosebud Geraniums
This type produces abundant clusters of tiny rose-like blooms. The mounding habit and long bloom time make it perfect for partially shaded beds or containers.
Crystal Palace Geraniums
One of the best zonal geraniums for partial shade. The tomatoes red color packs a punch in filtered light. Deadhead spent blooms to maximize flowering.
When selecting geraniums for shade, look for listings that specify shade tolerance. Talk to your local nursery for the best varieties for your specific conditions.
Where to Plant Geraniums in Partial Shade
Here are some prime spots to tuck geraniums in partially shaded gardens:
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Under trees and shrubs that allow dappled light. Plant around the dripline where roots won’t compete.
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Beside fences, walls or tall plants that provide afternoon shade. Plant on the east side of barriers for morning sun.
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In containers placed in sunny entryways or patios moved to a shadier spot for hot afternoons. Let plants acclimate to shifting light.
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In hanging baskets attached to tree branches or poles where plants get a mix of sun and shade.
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In beds and borders near shorter sun-loving plants. Taller geraniums can provide a colorful background.
Observe light patterns in your yard to identify the best planting sites. East or west-facing areas often work well!
Tips for Maximizing Sunlight
To help geraniums thrive in partial shade, utilize some clever tricks to maximize available sunlight:
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Prune overhanging branches to open the canopy and let in more light.
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Paint or whitewash fences and walls to reflect extra light onto plants.
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Use light-colored mulch that illuminates soil and doesn’t compete for sun.
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Move potted geraniums around to give them a few hours of morning or afternoon sun.
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Plant in groups – their foliage will reflect light onto each other.
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Remove competing weeds that can further reduce available light.
With a little creativity, you can help shade-loving geraniums get the light levels they need to put on their best show of colorful blooms!
Overcoming Other Shade Challenges
Lower light levels aren’t the only challenge posed by shade – but they can be overcome! Here are some other issues and solutions:
Poor Air Circulation
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Improve airflow by selective pruning or thinning surrounding plants.
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Space plants appropriately to allow air movement between them.
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Use small fans to keep air and foliage moving.
Excess Moisture
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Improve drainage by amending soil with compost or sand.
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Avoid overwatering which leaves soil soggy.
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Space plants to allow better air circulation and soil drying.
Weak or Leggy Growth
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Pinch off tips to encourage bushy, compact plants.
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Stake tall plants for support and to prevent toppling.
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Fertilize regularly and keep soil moderately moist.
With a little TLC, geraniums can adapt quite well to partially shaded areas! Don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for your specific growing conditions.
Enjoying Geraniums in the Shade
While geraniums certainly love basking in the sun, they can bring their signature colors and cheerful blooms to partially shaded spaces too. With the proper variety selection, planting location, and care adjustments, these classic flowers can enliven shadier parts of your landscape.
The keys are providing adequate moisture, nutrition, and air circulation. Prune and train plants to encourage full, compact growth. Move containers around as needed to maximize sunlight exposure. Most importantly, get to know your specific conditions and select geranium varieties best suited for partial shade success.
With a bit of patience and TLC, you can have gorgeous geraniums – even in the shade! Their versatility is part of what makes them such popular and endeared garden plants.
Geranium clarkei ‘Kashmir Purple’
Although it is more lavender-blue than purple, the flower of this geranium does darken to purple around the white eye, and the veins are purple, too. This eagerly spreading plant is perfect in shady areas, wherever you need something robust and vigorous to create good ground cover.
Height x spread: 45cm x 1.5m
The glistening, vivid magenta flowers have a contrasting burgundy centre and open right through summer, after which the foliage turns fiery. Patricia is a more subtle version of the dramatic but rather large and floppy Geranium psilostemon, and prefers a few hours of sun.
H x S: 70cm x 70cm
Facing outward for a bright display, the lavender-blue flowers are reddish-purple in the centre, with veins of a similar hue. After the first May/June flush, it will repeat in September. Gravetye makes good ground cover, filling the spaces around mature shrubs.
H x S: 30cm x 60cm
This adaptable geranium is a good plant for dry shade. The foliage is bright and glossy, and the pale-centred, mauve-pink flowers open over a long season, from June to August, when many other shade plants are over. It is clump-forming and often self-seeds.
H x S: 40cm x 60cm
Smoky purple flowers with slightly swept-back petals and a pale centre sit atop the vertical stems. Cut back after the June flush, then water well for a second crop of blooms and foliage. Happy in dry shade, its bright foliage forms a fresh green mound in spring.
H x S: 60cm x 30cm.
As the petals don’t overlap, this geraniums distinctive flowers look like a ring of five big, bluish-violet teardrops with vivid purple veins. The gold-tinted, finely dissected young foliage matures to rich green as the June-to-August flowering begins. Shade will limit its natural vigour.
H x S: 40cm x 75cm
The star of the RHS trial of hundreds of hardy geraniums, this stupendous plant has large, lavender-blue flowers with red-purple veins and white eyes. These open all summer, over loose, spreading mounds of dissected leaves. It’s great in the shade of mature roses.
H x S: 80cm x 80cm
The clear blue, white-eyed blooms of this geranium open repeatedly from June to October on cascading shoots. Rozanne flowers most prolifically in part-shade; in darker spots, it sprawls more and flowers less. Great in a pot or as ground cover, it shoots in among its neighbours.
H x S: 30cm x 60cm
This geraniums golden spring foliage lights up dark corners, then turns green as its magenta flowers open in June and July. Subsequent new leaves are also golden. It’s similar to ‘Ann Folkard’ but better behaved and less rampageous, with spreading shoots from a tight crown.
H x S: 50cm x 1.2m
Geranium x oxonianum ‘Wargrave Pink’
The pink flowers of Wargrave Pink have an unusual, slightly bluish tinge. After the early summer flowering, cut to the ground and water well to promote a second flush later in the season. This geranium is robust enough to thrive in the shade of mature shrubs.
H x S: 60cm x 90cm
6 Quick tips to keep Geraniums Blooming
FAQ
Which geraniums grow well in shade?
- Geranium ‘Sweet Heidy’ (Cranesbill) …
- Geranium macrorrhizum ‘Bevan’s Variety’ (Cranesbill) …
- Geranium macrorrhizum ‘Czakor’ (Cranesbill) …
- Geranium maderense (Cranesbill) …
- Geranium phaeum ‘Lily Lovell’ (Cranesbill) …
- Geranium phaeum var. …
- Geranium pyrenaicum ‘Bill Wallis’ (Mountain Cranesbill)
How much shade will geraniums tolerate?
Most annual geraniums need a spot in full sun, except for the ivy geranium, which grows best in light shade. Perennial geraniums, on the other hand, grow in either sun or shade, depending on the type.
How much sun is needed for geraniums?
Geraniums prefer full sun, but they can also tolerate partial shade. Try to plant in a spot that gets around six hours of sun throughout the day.May 24, 2023
What happens if geraniums don’t get enough sun?
Geraniums don’t like shade
They collect up hours of sunlight in order to return the favour with abundant flowers and vigorous growth. If there is a lack of light in the shade, they will not bloom as well. You can tell that your geranium needs more light if it is not growing much or forming new flowers.
Can geraniums grow in partial shade?
• Regal pelargoniums are ideal for partial shade, as they’ll bloom well, even in low light. • You can also plant all other geraniums in partial shade. You can also plant all other geraniums in partial shade. Which geraniums are best suited to partial shade? You will probably enjoy your geraniums more in places with some shade than elsewhere.
Do geraniums need sunlight?
As with all plants, geraniums need sunlight for photosynthesis, which allows them to grow and reproduce (thus producing flowers). Without it, your plants will have to slow down their growth. For best results, place your geranium in partial shade, where they can get at least four hours of sunlight per day.
How do you plant geraniums in shade?
When situating geraniums in partial shade, optimize lighting and environment with these tips: Place in east or west-facing locales to receive morning and evening sun. Ensure at least 4 hours of direct daily sun, preferably in the cooler mornings. Plant near light-reflecting walls or pavements to maximize illumination.
Which shade is best for geraniums?
Dappled shade is ideal for the growth of geraniums, as it offers a combination of filtered light and periods of direct sunlight. This allows for optimal photosynthesis and encourages robust growth, vibrant foliage, and profuse flowering. 1. Evaluating shade levels
How do I choose the right geranium varieties?
When it comes to selecting the right geranium varieties for your garden, it’s important to consider the amount of sunlight they will receive. Some geraniums thrive in full sun, while others prefer the shade.
Can geraniums grow on a balcony?
A balcony in the shade does not receive direct sunlight at any time. Unlike sunny and semi-shady locations, it is not suitable for geraniums. North-facing balconies are fully shaded, as are those that don’t get any sun all day long due to trees or nearby houses. But even a shady balcony can be planted.