Six plants to grow with hardy geraniums

Take a look at six plants to grow with hardy geraniums for ideas and inspiration.

Oriental poppies and hardy geraniums

This pretty combination of oriental poppies, here the variety 'Patty's Plum', and Geranium 'Wargrave Pink' is perfect for a sunny spot. The geranium foliage will help disguise the dying foliage of the poppies, too.

Geranium and thyme

Smaller and neater varieties of hardy geraniums, such as 'Ballerina' and 'Max Frei' (pictured) are ideal for growing in pots and containers. Here the variety is planted in a stone trough with creeping thyme, Thymus serpyllum 'Red Carpet'.

Dusky cranesbill and euphorbia underplanting

Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae is used to create an eye-catching effect here, lighting up the shaded area beneath a birch tree and showing off the deep purple flowers of Geranium phaeum 'Raven'.

White geraniums and ragged robin

This combination of white ragged robin and Geranium phaeum 'Album' is perfect for a partially shady spot, where the pale blooms really come to life. Add ferns to complete the woodland feel.

Lady's mantle and geraniums

Lady's mantle (Alchemilla mollis) is a really useful plant to have in the garden, as it will grow in tricky, drought prone spots. It spreads easily, so can be contained in a pot and grown with geraniums (pictured). Also in the pot is Penstemon 'Elgar Nimrod'.

Geranium and feverfew

For a more relaxed feel, try pairing feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) with purple geraniums. It'll prove popular with pollinating insects, too.

Dark coloured geraniums to try

• Geranium phaeum 'Raven'

• Geranium x magnificum 'Rosemoor'

• Geranium 'Ann Folkard'

• Geranium 'Black Beauty'

• Geranium psilostemon