Hardy geraniums may be perfect plant

We are forever in search of the perfect plant.

We would like a plant to bloom profusely for a long period year after year, be low maintenance and easy to care for, tolerate occasional drought, be disease resistant and not be bothered by deer. The durable, adaptable and often evergreen, hardy geranium, or cranesbill fulfills all of these requirements. Even when not flowering the distinctive, often deeply lobed, palmate foliage is stunning.

The hardy geranium is not to be confused with the nonhardy geranium or pelargonium we see in hanging baskets or clay pots during summer. The word geranium comes from the Greek word crane, which describes the beak looking inner part of the flower. Because there are more than 300 species of hardy geraniums, there is virtually one for any garden situation.

All hardy geraniums have cup-shaped, five-petal, symmetrical flowers which range in color from shades of pink, to violet, burgundy, blue or purple. Most will start blooming in late May and many will continue to bloom into fall. Nearly all geraniums thrive in part to full sun with well draining soil. Some newly introduced cultivars to consider are:

“Elizabeth Ann blooms all season with purple-blue flowers over huge, chocolate-colored foliage. 12 inches tall. Zone 5.

“Margaret Wilson is distinctively different, not only because it prefers part shade, but that it has magnificent, white and green variegated foliage! The light purple flowers are just an added bonus. 12 inches tall. Zone 5.

“La Veta Lace has curly parsley-like foliage and brilliant, purple flowers. Xeric. Six to 10 inches. Zone 4.

“Orion covers itself with large, dazzling, purple-blue flowers from June into July. The foliage turns a vivid red in fall. 18 inches tall. Zone 3.

“Orkney Cherry produces masses of flowers June through September. The flowers are bright pink with darker veins and white throats. If the spectacular flowers aren’t enough, it also boasts bronze foliage. This is a compact plant of 10 inches tall. Zone 5.

“Pink Penny is a robust grower with large 2 1/2 inch pink-lavender blooms from June well into fall. 18 inches tall. Zone 5.

“Rozanne is a plant no garden should be without. It blooms continuously from late May through hard frost with large, almost iridescent, violet blossoms. This cultivar is the Perennial Plant Association Perennial of the Year for 2008. 16 inches tall. Zone 4.

“Sweet Heidy has striking, tri-color, brilliant, blue-purple flowers with a pink ring surrounding a white eye from spring until fall. Sweet Heidy is one of the longest blooming, hardy geraniums available. This plant is a sprawler and pops up between other perennials or trails in hanging baskets. Stems are 2 1/2 feet long. Zone 5.