I use hardy geraniums as ground cover when I want something softer and more useful than mulch, but less aggressive than ivy, vinca, or other fast-spreading ground covers. The best creeping cranesbill geraniums spread enough to cover bare soil, suppress weeds, and soften the edges of paths, shrubs, and perennial borders without swallowing the whole garden.
The trick is choosing the right type. Some hardy geraniums form tidy clumps. Others creep, weave, or spread into low mats. A few are excellent in dry shade, while others bloom best in full sun. If you choose the wrong one, you may get a floppy perennial instead of a true ground cover.
In this guide, I’ll show you the best hardy geranium ground cover varieties, where each one works best, how far apart to plant them, and how to keep them looking good through the season.
🌿 Quick Picks: Best Hardy Geraniums for Ground Cover
- Best Overall Ground Cover: Geranium macrorrhizum
- Best Low Edging Ground Cover: Geranium x cantabrigiense ‘Biokovo’
- Best for Sun: Geranium sanguineum
- Best Long-Blooming Spreader: Geranium ‘Rozanne’
- Best for Dry Shade: Geranium macrorrhizum or Geranium phaeum
- Best Native-Style Option: Geranium maculatum
Are Hardy Geraniums Good Ground Covers?
Yes, many hardy geraniums make excellent ground covers. They are especially useful where you want a living carpet that looks natural, blooms in spring or summer, and helps reduce weeds without becoming too aggressive.
Hardy geraniums, also called cranesbill geraniums, are perennial plants in the genus Geranium. They are different from the red geraniums commonly grown in porch pots, which are usually Pelargonium.
For a broader overview of perennial geraniums, see my full guide to cranesbill geraniums.
Creeping Geranium vs Cranesbill vs Pelargonium
The names can get confusing, so here is the simple version:
| Name | What It Usually Means | Ground Cover Use |
|---|---|---|
| Hardy Geranium | A perennial plant in the genus Geranium | Excellent, depending on variety |
| Cranesbill Geranium | Another common name for hardy geranium | Excellent for borders, slopes, shade, and under shrubs |
| Creeping Geranium | A spreading or mat-forming hardy geranium | Best choice for ground cover intent |
| Pelargonium | Tender “geranium” used in pots and bedding | Not usually used as hardy ground cover |
If you are looking for red container flowers, read my guide to red geraniums. If you want a perennial plant to cover soil, you want hardy geraniums or cranesbills.
Best Hardy Geraniums for Ground Cover
1. Geranium macrorrhizum
Geranium macrorrhizum, often called bigroot geranium, is my top choice when someone asks for the best overall hardy geranium ground cover. It spreads by thick rhizomes, forms a dense carpet, handles dry shade better than many perennials, and has aromatic foliage that stays attractive for a long time.
This is the one I would choose under shrubs, along woodland edges, on difficult slopes, or anywhere mulch keeps washing away.
Best for: Dry shade, under shrubs, slopes, weed suppression, low-maintenance beds.
- Growth habit: Spreading mat-forming perennial.
- Light: Part shade to shade; also tolerates some sun with moisture.
- Flowers: Pink, magenta, or white depending on cultivar.
- Foliage: Aromatic, textured, often with good fall color.
- Why I like it: It covers soil without needing constant attention.
2. Geranium x cantabrigiense ‘Biokovo’
‘Biokovo’ is one of the best low-growing hardy geraniums for edging and small-scale ground cover. It has pale pink to white flowers, aromatic foliage, and a neat spreading habit that looks tidy near paths, patios, and front-of-border plantings.
I like ‘Biokovo’ when G. macrorrhizum feels too bold or too coarse. It gives you the same low-maintenance ground-cover effect in a softer, more refined form.
Best for: Path edges, small beds, underplanting shrubs, low borders, cottage gardens.
- Growth habit: Low, spreading, and tidy.
- Light: Sun to part shade.
- Flowers: Pale pink to white.
- Best feature: Clean, low ground-cover habit.
3. Geranium sanguineum
Geranium sanguineum, or bloody cranesbill, is one of the better hardy geraniums for sunny ground cover. It forms mounds that can spread into a low carpet, and it handles drier sunny conditions better than many soft-leaved perennials.
This is a good choice for sunny borders, rock gardens, slopes, and the front of perennial beds. Compact varieties such as ‘Max Frei’ are especially useful where you want a lower, neater plant.
Best for: Full sun, dryish borders, rock gardens, front edges, slopes.
- Growth habit: Mounding and spreading.
- Light: Full sun to part shade.
- Flowers: Magenta, pink, purple, or white depending on cultivar.
- Good cultivars: ‘Max Frei’, ‘New Hampshire Purple’, ‘Album’, ‘Lancastriense’.
4. Geranium ‘Rozanne’
Geranium ‘Rozanne’ is not a tight carpet ground cover in the same way as G. macrorrhizum, but it is an outstanding spreading perennial. It weaves through open spaces, covers bare soil in mixed borders, and blooms for a long season with violet-blue flowers.
I use ‘Rozanne’ more as a long-blooming filler than a formal ground cover. It is excellent around roses, shrubs, and taller perennials where it can sprawl naturally.
Best for: Long bloom, mixed borders, rose companions, sunny perennial beds.
- Growth habit: Wide-spreading and mounding.
- Light: Full sun to part shade.
- Flowers: Violet-blue with a pale center.
- Best feature: Very long bloom season.
5. Geranium nodosum
Geranium nodosum is a useful but underrated hardy geranium for shade and woodland-style plantings. It is not the densest weed-smothering ground cover, but it works well where you want a natural, loose, shade-tolerant perennial that can spread gently.
Best for: Woodland gardens, dry shade, naturalistic plantings, under deciduous shrubs.
- Growth habit: Loose, spreading, woodland style.
- Light: Part shade to shade.
- Flowers: Usually pink, lilac, or purple tones.
- Best feature: Tolerates difficult shade better than many flowering perennials.
6. Geranium phaeum
Geranium phaeum, also called dusky cranesbill or mourning widow, is more upright than creeping, but it earns a place here because it performs well in shade and can fill awkward spaces under trees and shrubs.
I would not use it for a tight, low carpet. I would use it as a shade-tolerant filler where taller, looser foliage is acceptable.
Best for: Part shade, woodland edges, dry shade, naturalistic beds.
- Growth habit: Upright clumping with some self-seeding.
- Light: Part shade to shade.
- Flowers: Dark maroon-purple, mauve, or purple depending on cultivar.
- Good cultivars: ‘Samobor’, ‘Lily Lovell’.
7. Geranium maculatum
Geranium maculatum, commonly called wild geranium, is a good native-style option for woodland gardens and naturalized beds. It is not always the most aggressive ground cover, but it works beautifully in a layered planting with ferns, sedges, woodland phlox, and native shade perennials.
Best for: Native-style gardens, woodland edges, part shade, pollinator-friendly plantings.
- Growth habit: Clumping to gently spreading.
- Light: Part shade to light shade.
- Flowers: Pink to lavender.
- Best feature: Natural look and good wildlife-garden value.
Best Hardy Geranium Ground Covers by Situation
| Garden Situation | Best Hardy Geranium Choices | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Shade | G. macrorrhizum, G. phaeum, G. nodosum | Handles tree roots, shade, and lower moisture better than many perennials |
| Full Sun | G. sanguineum, ‘Rozanne’ | Blooms well and fills sunny borders without heavy maintenance |
| Under Shrubs | G. macrorrhizum, ‘Biokovo’ | Covers bare soil and softens woody stems |
| Slopes | G. macrorrhizum, G. sanguineum | Spreading roots help hold soil and reduce bare patches |
| Path Edges | ‘Biokovo’, compact G. sanguineum cultivars | Low, tidy, and easy to trim |
| Pollinator Gardens | G. maculatum, ‘Rozanne’, G. sanguineum | Adds flowers and habitat value in mixed plantings |
How to Plant Hardy Geraniums as Ground Cover
Step 1: Choose the Right Variety for the Site
This is where success starts. If the area is dry and shaded, choose G. macrorrhizum or G. phaeum. If the area is sunny, use G. sanguineum or ‘Rozanne’. If you want a neat edge, choose ‘Biokovo’ or a compact bloody cranesbill.
Step 2: Clear the Weeds First
Hardy geraniums can suppress weeds once established, but they are not magic. Remove existing weeds before planting. If you plant into a weedy bed, the geraniums will have to compete before they can spread.
Step 3: Improve the Soil
Most hardy geraniums grow best in soil that drains well but still holds some moisture. I like to mix compost into poor soil before planting. This helps roots establish faster and gives the ground cover a stronger start.
If your soil is compacted or difficult, see my guide to understanding good garden soil.
Step 4: Plant at the Same Depth
Set each plant so the crown sits at soil level. Do not bury the crown deeply. Deep planting can lead to weak growth or rot, especially in heavier soil.
Step 5: Water Deeply
Water well after planting. During the first season, keep the soil evenly moist while the plants root in. Once established, many hardy geraniums become much more forgiving.
Step 6: Mulch Lightly Between Plants
Use a light mulch layer while the plants fill in. Do not pile mulch directly on top of the crowns. Once the geraniums spread, they will shade the soil themselves.
Spacing: How Far Apart to Plant Ground Cover Geraniums
Spacing depends on how fast you want coverage and which variety you choose.
- Fast coverage: Plant 12 to 15 inches apart.
- Standard spacing: Plant 15 to 18 inches apart.
- Large spreading types: Plant 18 to 24 inches apart.
- Small edging types: Plant 10 to 12 inches apart if you want a tighter edge.
I usually prefer slightly wider spacing and patience. Crowding plants can reduce airflow and make maintenance harder. Hardy geraniums often look better after they have room to knit together naturally.
How Long Does It Take Hardy Geraniums to Fill In?
Most hardy geranium ground covers need one to three growing seasons to fill in well. Small plants in poor soil will take longer. Larger plants in prepared soil can cover ground much faster.
If you want instant coverage, plant closer together. If you want a more budget-friendly planting, space them wider and give them time.
How to Keep Hardy Geranium Ground Cover Looking Good
Cut Back After Flowering
Some hardy geraniums look tired after their first big bloom. I do not hesitate to cut them back if the foliage flops, browns, or opens in the middle. A hard trim often encourages fresh leaves and a cleaner habit.
Water During Establishment
Even drought-tolerant hardy geraniums need water while they establish. The first season is the most important.
Topdress With Compost
A light compost topdressing in spring is usually better than heavy fertilizer. Too much fertilizer can make the plants floppy.
Divide When Needed
If clumps become too large, woody, or thin in the center, divide them in spring or early fall. Replant healthy pieces and water them well.
Common Mistakes With Hardy Geranium Ground Cover
1. Choosing a Clumper When You Want a Carpet
Not every hardy geranium is a true ground cover. If you want a carpet effect, choose spreading varieties such as G. macrorrhizum, ‘Biokovo’, or compact G. sanguineum types.
2. Planting in the Wrong Light
‘Rozanne’ may bloom poorly in deep shade. Shade-tolerant types may scorch in hot afternoon sun. Match the plant to the site.
3. Expecting Instant Weed Control
Hardy geraniums suppress weeds after they fill in. They do not eliminate established weeds on day one.
4. Planting Too Deep
Keep the crown at soil level. Deep planting can weaken the plant.
5. Never Cutting Back Tired Foliage
A midsummer haircut can make the difference between a messy patch and a clean ground cover.
Hardy Geranium Ground Cover vs Other Ground Covers
Hardy geraniums are not the fastest ground covers, but they are often better behaved than aggressive alternatives.
| Ground Cover | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Hardy Geranium | Flowers, attractive foliage, moderate spread, easy care | Takes time to fill in |
| Vinca | Fast coverage and evergreen foliage in many areas | Can be too aggressive or problematic in some regions |
| Ivy | Very fast coverage | Can climb, spread aggressively, and become difficult to manage |
| Pachysandra | Good shade coverage | Can suffer disease issues in overcrowded, damp beds |
If you are comparing shade ground covers, you may also find my pachysandra ground cover guide useful.
Best Companion Plants for Hardy Geranium Ground Cover
Hardy geraniums work best when they are part of a layered planting, not sitting alone like a flat carpet. I like combining them with shrubs, bulbs, ferns, and taller perennials.
- Roses: Geraniums cover bare rose stems and soften the base.
- Hostas: Good for part shade with compatible moisture.
- Ferns: Excellent with shade-tolerant cranesbills.
- Spring bulbs: Geranium foliage helps hide fading bulb leaves.
- Heuchera: Adds foliage contrast in part shade.
- Salvia: Works with sun-loving geraniums in borders.
- Catmint: A good cottage-garden partner in sunny sites.
- Small shrubs: Hardy geraniums fill bare soil beneath them.
Final Verdict: What Is the Best Hardy Geranium for Ground Cover?
If I had to choose one, I would pick Geranium macrorrhizum as the best overall hardy geranium ground cover. It is tough, spreading, aromatic, useful under shrubs, and better in dry shade than most flowering perennials.
For a lower, neater edge, I would choose ‘Biokovo’. For the sun, I would choose Geranium sanguineum. For long bloom in a mixed border, I would use Geranium ‘Rozanne’.
The best choice depends on the job. Once you match the variety to the site, hardy geraniums can become one of the most useful living ground covers in the garden.
📚 More Hardy Geranium & Ground Cover Guides
Building a better perennial ground cover planting? These guides can help:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can hardy geraniums be used as ground cover?
Yes. Many hardy geraniums make excellent ground covers, especially spreading types such as Geranium macrorrhizum, Geranium x cantabrigiense ‘Biokovo’, and compact Geranium sanguineum cultivars.
What is the best hardy geranium for ground cover?
Geranium macrorrhizum is one of the best overall hardy geraniums for ground cover because it spreads well, tolerates dry shade, has aromatic foliage, and covers soil reliably.
What is creeping geranium ground cover?
Creeping geranium ground cover usually refers to spreading hardy geraniums or cranesbills that form low mats or carpets, rather than tender Pelargoniums grown in pots.
Do hardy geraniums spread?
Yes, many hardy geraniums spread, but the speed depends on the species and cultivar. Some form tidy clumps, while others spread into ground-covering mats.
Are hardy geraniums invasive?
Most commonly grown hardy geraniums are not considered aggressively invasive in typical gardens, but some can spread or self-seed. Choose the right variety and trim or divide as needed.
Will hardy geraniums grow in shade?
Yes, some hardy geraniums tolerate shade. Geranium macrorrhizum, Geranium phaeum, and Geranium nodosum are useful choices for part shade or dry shade.
How far apart should I plant hardy geraniums for ground cover?
Most hardy geraniums can be planted 12 to 18 inches apart for ground cover. Larger spreading types may be spaced 18 to 24 inches apart, while compact edging types can be planted closer.
