Summer Hammer™ Geranium

Summer Hammer Geranium (Geranium hybrid) is a tough groundcover geranium that grows only 40cm high but spreads 1.2m wide, with long lasting purple flowers that attract pollinators. It forms a dense, weed suppressing cover and thrives in heat. Bred by Ozbreed for reliable cover on tough sites.

Why you'll love it

• Long lasting purple flowers. The blooms keep going through the sunny months and build a carpet effect.
• Weed suppressing cover. It spreads low and forms a dense layer that shades out weeds.
• Fast to establish. It settles quickly and suits a wide range of soil types.
• Good for pollinators. The purple flowers attract bees and other pollinators.
• Handles heat and winter. It thrives in summer heat and tolerates winter conditions, although it is often deciduous in the cold.

Where it works best

Groundcover and mass planting. Ozbreed recommends one to three plants per square metre. Plant 60cm apart for quick cover, or up to 1m apart if you can wait for it to fill.

Cottage gardens. Let it spill between taller perennials and over path edges, where the purple flowers soften hard lines.

Feature clumps. A single plant, 1.2m wide at maturity, makes an effective specimen at the front of a bed.

Growing Summer Hammer Geranium in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade. Ozbreed lists Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia, so it suits subtropical through cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens.

Soil. It suits a wide range of soil types. Add compost to poor sand to help hold moisture.

Water and feed. Plant in spring, summer or early autumn and water regularly until it has settled in. Established plants are resilient and low maintenance.

Pruning. It benefits from pruning, so cut back untidy growth after flowering. Because it is often deciduous, in cold areas expect it to thin out in winter and reshoot in spring.

What to expect when it arrives

Summer Hammer Geranium is listed in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Stock comes from Ozbreed's licensed growers and is grown to order at times, so a size can show as backorder. Order it and we confirm timing with you before anything ships. Ten plants cover about 3 to 10 square metres, depending on how closely you space them.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse more groundcover plants
• Plants for mass planting
• Bee and butterfly friendly plants
• See the full Ozbreed range

Common questions

Is it evergreen?

Often not. Ozbreed describes it as often deciduous, so in cooler climates it may die back in winter and return in spring.

How far apart should I plant it?

Plant 60cm apart for fast cover, or up to 1m apart to save on plants. Ozbreed recommends one to three per square metre.

When should I plant it?

In spring, summer or early autumn, which lets it settle in before the cold.

Will it smother other plants?

It forms a dense carpet 1.2m wide, so keep it a little away from small plants you cannot afford to lose. Edge it back in spring if it wanders.