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Geranium Rozanne

Geranium 'Rozanne'

a purple flower with green leaves in the background

Winner of multiple international awards, this exceptional hardy geranium produces masses of violet-blue flowers with white centers from late spring through first frost. Unlike annual geraniums, this perennial variety is incredibly long-blooming and requires virtually no deadheading. Its mounding habit and continuous color make it invaluable for borders, containers, and ground cover applications.

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

5–8

USDA hardiness

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Height

12-18 inches

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Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Geranium Rozanne in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Geranium Rozanne · Zones 5–8

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilWell-drained, average to fertile soil

pH6.0-7.5

WaterModerate, drought tolerant once established

SeasonPerennial, blooms late spring through fall

FlavorN/A

ColorViolet-blue with white centers and dark veining

Size1.5 inch diameter flowers

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Low. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Classic "crane's bill" fruit with a long beak

Color: Brown/Copper. Type: Capsule. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh-cut Rozanne flowers last 5-7 days in water when stems are recut underwater and placed immediately in clean, cool water with flower food. Store cut flowers in the refrigerator overnight to extend vase life. Change water every 2-3 days and trim stems by half an inch each time.

For preservation, press individual flowers between absorbent paper in a flower press or heavy book for 2-3 weeks to create dried specimens for crafts. The foliage dries well for potpourri – bundle small stems and hang in a dark, well-ventilated area for 2-3 weeks. Store dried materials in airtight containers away from light. The aromatic leaves can also be frozen in ice cubes for decorative drinks or preserved in white vinegar for 2-3 weeks to create a naturally scented cleaning solution.

History & Origin

Origin: hybrid

Advantages

+Low maintenance

Companion Plants

Lavender, Catmint, and Salvia are the strongest pairings — all three thrive in lean, well-drained soil at a pH around 6.5-7.0 and won't out-compete Rozanne's shallow roots the way a heavy feeder would. Their vertical structure also gives the bed some contrast against Rozanne's sprawling 12-18 inch mound. Alliums planted nearby can knock back aphid pressure on new growth. Give Rozanne a wide berth from Black Walnut — juglone secreted through the roots will stunt or kill it — and skip Fennel nearby, which releases allelopathic compounds that suppress many perennials over a full season.

Plant Together

Lavender

Attracts beneficial pollinators and repels pests with aromatic oils

Catmint

Deters aphids and ants while attracting beneficial insects

Salvia

Provides complementary blue-purple flowers and similar growing conditions

Alliums

Natural pest deterrent that repels aphids and other soft-bodied insects

Marigolds

Controls nematodes and aphids through natural compounds in roots

Roses

Geraniums repel Japanese beetles and other rose pests

Hostas

Provide contrasting foliage texture and shade tolerance in mixed borders

Astilbe

Thrives in similar partial shade conditions with complementary feathery texture

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth of many plants including geraniums

Eucalyptus

Releases allelopathic compounds that can stunt nearby plant growth

Fennel

Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathic root secretions

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Excellent disease resistance, very robust

Common Pests

Japanese beetles, aphids, spider mites

Diseases

Crown rot in poorly drained soils, powdery mildew in humid conditions

Troubleshooting Geranium Rozanne

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

White powdery coating on leaves, usually appearing mid-summer when nights cool and humidity is high

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) — favored by warm days, cool nights, and poor airflow
Planting too close together, blocking air circulation between plants

What to Do

1.Thin or divide clumps so plants sit at least 18 inches apart
2.Cut the whole plant back hard — down to 4-6 inches — in midsummer; Rozanne will flush fresh, clean growth within a few weeks
3.Avoid overhead watering in the evening; water at the base in the morning

Crown collapsing or stems rotting at soil level, often after a stretch of wet weather

Likely Causes

Crown rot — typically Phytophthora or Pythium spp. — triggered by waterlogged soil around the root crown
Planting in a low spot where water pools after rain

What to Do

1.Dig up the plant and inspect the crown; if it's mushy all the way through, discard it — don't compost it
2.Amend the bed with coarse grit or perlite before replanting, and set the crown exactly at soil level, not below it
3.Move divisions to a raised bed or berm if your soil stays saturated for more than 2-3 days after rain

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Geranium Rozanne bloom?▼

Geranium Rozanne blooms continuously for approximately 5 months, from late May through the first hard frost in October. Unlike traditional hardy geraniums that bloom for 4-6 weeks, Rozanne's sterile nature means it puts all its energy into flower production rather than seed formation, resulting in this exceptionally long flowering period without requiring deadheading.

Is Geranium Rozanne good for beginners?▼

Yes, Geranium Rozanne is excellent for beginning gardeners. It requires minimal maintenance, is drought tolerant once established, has excellent disease resistance, and is virtually maintenance-free since it doesn't require deadheading. The only critical requirement is well-drained soil to prevent crown rot, making it one of the most foolproof perennials for novice gardeners.

Can you grow Geranium Rozanne in containers?▼

Absolutely. Geranium Rozanne performs beautifully in containers and is actually easier to manage this way since you can control soil drainage precisely. Use a pot at least 18 inches wide with drainage holes, and a well-draining potting mix. Container plants may require more frequent watering and monthly feeding during the growing season.

When should I plant Geranium Rozanne?▼

Plant Geranium Rozanne in spring after the last frost date, typically April-May in most regions. Fall planting is also successful 6-8 weeks before the first expected frost, allowing roots to establish before winter dormancy. Avoid planting during hot summer months, as this stresses the plant during establishment.

Does Geranium Rozanne spread?▼

Yes, Geranium Rozanne spreads moderately through underground rhizomes, reaching 24 inches wide and potentially wider over time. While not aggressively invasive, it will gradually expand its footprint each year. This spreading habit makes it excellent for ground cover but may require division every 3-4 years to control its spread.

Is Geranium Rozanne deer resistant?▼

Yes, Geranium Rozanne is generally deer resistant due to its aromatic foliage and slightly fuzzy leaves that deer typically avoid. However, in areas with high deer pressure and limited food sources, no plant is completely deer-proof. The strong scent of the foliage usually provides good protection in most garden situations.