Rozanne Cranesbill
Rozanne Cranesbill
The Longest-Blooming Hardy Geranium for Twin Cities Gardens
Rozanne Cranesbill (Geranium 'Rozanne') is the perennial that earned worldwide acclaim for one simple reason: it blooms longer than almost anything else. From June straight through to frost, its sprawling mounds are covered in large violet-blue flowers with pale, white-veined centers. It weaves gracefully through neighboring plants, tolerates heat and drought, and shrugs off deer. A garden classic for sunny beds in Minnetonka, Edina, and Eden Prairie.
Rozanne Cranesbill Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Geranium 'Rozanne' (Gerwat) |
| Mature Size | 18–20 in. tall, 24–28 in. wide |
| Hardiness Zone | 5–8 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — hardy in most metro gardens; mulch exposed sites) |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Bloom Time | June until frost — one of the longest of any perennial |
| Flower Color | Violet-blue with white-veined centers |
| Soil | Adaptable — tolerates clay-loam; prefers decent drainage |
| Winter Hardiness | Reliable in zone 5; mulch in exposed zone 4b sites |
| Deer Resistance | Rarely browsed by deer or rabbits |
Landscape Uses
Long-season border filler: Its scrambling habit weaves between roses, shrubs, and perennials, knitting a bed together with nonstop color. Space 24 inches apart.
Pollinator and deer-resistant gardens: Months of flowers make it a bee and butterfly magnet, while deer leave it untouched. Beautiful with daylilies, coneflowers, and catmint.
Best Time to Plant in Minnesota
Plant in spring (late April–May) so it establishes well before winter, or in early fall. Since Rozanne is at the cooler edge of its hardiness here, a sheltered, well-drained spot and a winter mulch layer improve survival in exposed gardens.
How to Plant Rozanne Cranesbill
Dig a hole twice the pot's width at the same depth, loosening clay and mixing in compost. Set the crown level, backfill, water well, and mulch 2 inches deep, keeping mulch off the crown. Space 24 inches apart.
Watering Rozanne Cranesbill
First year: Water every 2–3 days at first, then weekly. Stop 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes.
After year one: Drought- and heat-tolerant — water during extended dry spells only.
Q: Will Rozanne survive a Minnesota winter?
It is hardy to zone 5 and overwinters well in most Twin Cities gardens. In exposed, windswept zone 4b sites, mulch the crown for winter and ensure good drainage.
Q: How long does it really bloom?
From June until hard frost — one of the longest bloom seasons of any perennial, with no deadheading required.
Q: Is it deer-resistant?
Yes — reliably ignored by deer and rabbits.
Q: Should I cut it back?
A light midsummer shear refreshes the foliage and keeps the mound full if it sprawls.
You May Also Like
Tiny Monster Cranesbill (Geranium): A vigorous magenta partner with similar staying power.
Catmint (Nepeta): Blue spikes and a long season to echo Rozanne's color.
Coneflower (Echinacea): Upright pollinator blooms to rise above the weaving geranium.
How Many Rozanne Cranesbill Do I Need?
Rozanne weaves through a border rather than standing in a tidy row, so set plants on roughly 24-inch centers and let them scramble together. For a flowing front-of-border ribbon:
| Border Run | Plants Needed (24 in. apart) |
|---|---|
| 5 ft | 3 |
| 10 ft | 6 |
| 15 ft | 8 |
| 20 ft | 11 |
For a fuller pool of color, plant in groups of 3–5 and let the mounds knit into one another.
Rozanne Cranesbill Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Mounds of deeply cut green leaves push up, filling in quickly as the soil warms.
- Summer: The main event — large violet-blue, white-centered flowers open in June and keep coming nonstop, weaving between neighboring plants.
- Fall: Bloom continues right up to hard frost, with the foliage often taking on red and bronze tints.
- Winter: Dies back to the ground; mulch the crown in exposed zone 4b sites to protect it through the cold.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Drought-Tolerant
Plant It With
- Tiny Monster Cranesbill — a vigorous magenta hardy geranium with the same long-blooming, weaving habit.
- Magnus Coneflower — upright rosy-purple daisies rise above the scrambling geranium for pollinator traffic all summer.
- Autumn Fire Sedum — a sturdy, drought-tough partner that picks up the show in late summer and fall.
- Little Bluestem — a native bunchgrass that adds airy texture and fall color behind the blue flowers.
Is Rozanne Cranesbill Right for Your Yard?
Rozanne thrives in full sun to part shade in any reasonably drained soil, takes heat and drought once established, and is reliably ignored by deer and rabbits — ideal for a long-blooming front-of-border or for knitting a mixed bed together. It is not the right pick if you want a tidy, stay-put upright clump or if your site stays soggy, since it sprawls and weaves and dislikes wet feet over winter.