Geranium 'Dragon Heart'
Best heat-tolerant perennial for gardeners in humid or coastal climates.
Geranium 'Dragon Heart' is a robust, softly mounded perennial celebrated for its vibrant magenta-violet blooms, each marked with a dark eye. This variety excels in longer, hotter summers, often outperforming other hardy geraniums and tolerating humidity and coastal salt spray. It forms a rounded shape, reaching about 12 inches high and spreading 18 inches wide, making it an excellent companion for other garden plants. Introduced by Alan Bremner, it thrives in moist, rich soil and benefits from afternoon shade in warmer climates.
$14.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
854
/ 2769
#854 in Flowers
Price vs Category Average
-63%
Below average
Growth Habit
Groundcover
/ Groundcover
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking season-long color in their flower beds
- Busy homeowners wanting a natural, low-effort weed barrier
- Beginners looking for a reliable, easy-care perennial
Who should skip it
- Gardeners with small spaces or delicate, slow-growing plants
- Minimalists who prefer plants that stay tidy without pruning
- Shade-garden owners lacking sufficient direct sunlight
Performance breakdown
Heat Tolerance
Outperforms standard hardy geraniums in sweltering, humid summer conditions.
Bloom Reliability
Consistent flowering from early summer through fall, even in the first year.
Coastal Adaptability
Robust enough to withstand salt spray in challenging seaside garden environments.
Growth Habit
Maintains a tidy, mounded shape that integrates perfectly with other perennials.
Pollinator Appeal
Vibrant magenta blooms act as a reliable magnet for local butterflies.
Maintenance Ease
Requires moderate care and consistent feeding to reach its full potential.
Key Specs
Growth Habit
Groundcover
Mature Height
1.0 feet
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Shade
USDA Hardiness Zones
Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8
Plant Life Cycle
Perennial
Water Requirement
Moderate
Soil Type Preference
Loamy, Well-drained
Bloom Season
Summer, Fall
Features
- Produces abundant magenta blooms.
- Outperforms other geraniums in heat.
- Tolerant of humidity and salt spray.
- Forms a neat, rounded shape.
- Mingles well with other plants.
- Blooms in its first year.
- Attracts butterflies and pollinators.
- Salt tolerant for coastal gardens.
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the Geranium 'Dragon Heart' for its exceptional reliability and stunning visual impact. Gardeners are thrilled by the plant's vigorous growth and its ability to produce vibrant, long lasting magenta blooms from early summer well into autumn. The plant arrives healthy and establishes quickly, exceeding expectations for hardiness and performance. While some note the premium price point, the plant's robust nature and continuous color delivery solidify its reputation as a high quality, essential perennial that delivers significant garden value year after year.
Know before you buy
Yes, this variety is known for being a free bloomer and will produce its vibrant magenta-violet flowers in its first year after planting.
Unlike many other hardy geraniums, 'Dragon Heart' is specifically bred to excel in hot, humid conditions. While it thrives in full sun, it will benefit from a bit of afternoon shade in particularly warm climates.
Absolutely. This variety is salt-tolerant, making it an excellent choice for coastal landscapes where other plants might struggle with salt spray.
Because 'Dragon Heart' reaches a mature width of 18 inches, we recommend spacing your plants 18 inches apart to allow them to form a neat, rounded mound without overcrowding.
No, 'Dragon Heart' is not considered deer-resistant. If you have a high deer population in your area, you may want to protect these plants with fencing or deterrents.
It performs best in rich, loamy, and well-drained soil. Ensure the planting site does not stay waterlogged, as good drainage is essential for the health of the plant.
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$15