Ronda, I grow Jolly Bee and Rozanne. They are very similar and both are very heat tolerant and bloom all summer long. Rozanne does seem to be a bit leggier but I just cut it back and it still reblooms. I don't have a photo of the entire plant. Here's one with a few blooms.

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Carol

Ooooh that is very pretty.
How tall can I expect these geraniums to grow??
Do they do ok if planted close to the rose base with regards to application of fertilizer and competing for water??

Thanks

Yes, they do well growing at the base of roses, that is where mine are. I actually like the way that Rozanne puts out some longer growth and weaves herself into the roses. When it gets to be "too much" I just pull it out and cut her back. Both are really just mounding plants with some longer tendrils (for lack of the proper word). I keep mine at maybe a foot tall in my garden, they will sprawl more than that but I cut them back if they get larger than I want them to be.

Carol

I planted one Jolly Bee in fall so I didn't see it blooming yet but Rozanne is excellent with roses, I had several Rozannes edging the rose beds. I am a bit worried that they didn't make it through the drought and I should replace them but it is a bit too early to tell.

I have several other hardy geraniums in fron of roses like Orion, Nimbus, Brookside, Samobor (I like the almost black color of Samobor) but none blooms such a long time as Rozanne does. Jolly Bee should have just as long blooming season as Rozanne.

Johnson's Blue has done great for me.
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You can also add small dahlias
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Carla

ceterum thanks for the info...I will look into a few of the others you mentioned.

Carla--that Johnsons Blue is gorgeous. How long is the bloom time??

Yes! Highly recommend it. I got some on clearance at Lowe's last summer-early fall ($1 for a very nice-sized pot; quart maybe? I'm bad at sizes) mostly to fill in what I had of Rozanne. In the short time they were in the ground during the growing season, they went gangbusters.

I can't say enough good about this plant.

Long bloom, good recovery (from floppy-sad to fabulous in very little time), vigorous and I think there's a little more pink in the eye, too, but I could be mistaken. I won't buy another Rozanne unless it's a sub for Jolly Bee. That said, JB does seem harder to find. I hope they all made it through the winter.

Carla that is gorgeous and just amazing how well it does for you. . Johnson Blue has the reputation to hate the south, and sure enough that was one geranium that I lost and lost again. Even the 'improved" Johnson blue died on me in no time.
Maybe you are not in such a hot and humid environment I should garden or you found the perfect spot for it.

Does anyone know a good mail order source for hardy geraniums, a nursery where thy have a wide selection of geraniums?

Thank you Ceterum. I'm going to ask the Lowe's manager if he can get some Rozanne. Prices in catalogs are $10.00 and up for geraniums. Maybe Graceful Gardens has Rozanne, not sure.

Carla

Carla, I think I might have gotten some plants of Rozanne from Bluestone Perennials and they were very affordable, though I think it might have been an end of season sale.

For the mail-order selection, besides Bluestone, I know of Lazy S'S. Never ordered from them because of the shipping (though they're praised on Garden Watchdog), but find their site a very good resource for researching all kinds of plants and shrubs. Lots of geraniums, with pictures.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lazy S'S Farm

Well I tried. Jolly Bee was not hardy for me. It struggled after the first winter and did not make it through the second.

Hardy is a relative term here in MN.

Regards,

Charles

Saw it last year at the botanical gardens in Chicago. LOVE IT always blooming!!!!! Purchased three for this year. I want to find out if it stays in a mound or if it spreads. I will also be purchasing Bevs Variety from Bluestone. That one spreads! Amy

Ronda, it seems to bloom for a long time. I cut it after it blooms and then it blooms again.

Carla

Yep 2 jolly bee and a magnificum and rozanna all in with my roses the magnificum is a fantastic bloomer in Spring Only the Jolly Bee blooms frequently as does rozanne