I've also recently fallen in love with hardy geraniums.

Geranium pratense Meadow Cranesbill turns out to be pretty easy to winter sow and I now have four nice ones growing.

I've also added Geranium pratense Midnight Reiter and Geranium maculatum Espresso for their leaf colors and a Geranium sanguineum 'Striatum' Bloody Cranesbill from local nursries. For leaf color I like Expresso the most. I've also gotten a couple at swaps this spring, including a mini that is in my shadiest spot.

Since most of these are new, I can't tell you how well they will come back, but so far they are all thriving.

Since this is m

Rozanne and Jolly Bee are the longest-blooming geraniums. They are very similar to each other. I bought my Rozannes locally.

Janet's Garden

Hi standbyq13!

I am delighted with Geranium macrorrhizum aka Big Root/Foot Geranium. The flowering period is fairly brief  in the spring about the middle of tulip time. Flowers range from pinky-off white, light pink and magenta. The real star is the scented foliage! From a distance* the fragrance is minty/gingery/ice tea like. Very refreshing. The plant has a mounding habit that suppresses weeds. Also, the plant will grow in dry shade such as under a deck or a thirsty tree:)

*Up close, the fragrance is pungent and strong.

Regards,
PoseyPlanter

The hardy geraniums are a diverse genus and not all will fare well in lots of shade. Some of the best geraniums for shade include the phaeums (Samobor is great but reseeds very freely), macrorrrhizums, himalayense and nodosom. Most of the other species and hybrids will prefer at least part to full sun. And those with dark foliage absolutely need sun or the foliage will wash out and lose color.