Because of the limited space in my backyard, I prefer to grow long-blooming perennials. I’ve tried various geranium (cranesbill) cultivars over the years, but most of them bloom for 3 or 4 weeks and quit for the summer. They are gorgeous when they are full bloom, but I don’t want to be stuck looking at foliage for three-quarters of the growing season.
Late last spring the name ‘Rozanne’ kept popping up everywhere in gardening magazines. One woman even wrote an article about how she drove to another state to find the plant. I was intrigued.
Geranium ‘Rozanne’ was named the Perennial Plant of the Year for 2008. ‘Rozanne’ is different from other geraniums in that it blooms all summer into fall with pretty violet-blue flowers. The plant grows in a mound 18-20 inches high with a spread of several feet. ‘Rozanne’ will grow in sunny conditions, but prefers partial-shade in areas where there is excessive summer heat. It’s hardy in zones 5-8.
I was skeptical, but I planted ‘Rozanne’ in one of my partial-shade beds in early summer. Obviously my plant was small for most of the summer as it adjusted to its new home, but it churned out blooms until the first frost.
I would like to evaluate ‘Rozanne’ for one full year in my garden before I’m a true believer, but for now I’m very impressed.