They do fine in the summer in zone 7, but they don't overwinter outside. You can keep them in pots and bring them inside during the winter.

They are perennial here but do better in the North-at least at my inlaw's garden in W. Virginia. I have Geranium macrorhizum, which is perennial for me and a really tough ground cover for shade. It doesn't flower for very long. I have also grown Rozanne in part shade as a perennial for about four years but I lost it in the drought last year. Squirelly Pete (Georgia forum) grows geraniums too.

Susan.

Geranium maculatum is native to much of the southeast. It grows wonderfully for me.

Here is a link that might be useful: Alabama distribution for Geranium maculatum

Geranium maculatum with its seeding habit does great for me also. Other species got lost.

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OOPS. I should have paid better attention. Of course the true geranium (or cranesbill) thrives here. I have one that has turned out to be a nice spreading and reseading groundcover. I have others that are not as vigorous, but do well.

Thanks everyone for your help - I'll try the G maculatum.