hardy geranium
hardy geranium Lexical Profile
• noun
A robust, perennial flowering plant of the genus Geranium, native to temperate regions worldwide, characterized by lobed foliage, distinct five-petaled flowers, and the ability to survive freezing winter temperatures.
"The landscaper chose to plant a border of hardy geraniums because they require little maintenance and reliably return to bloom every spring."
Word Nuance & Usage
In gardening, 'hardy geranium' distinguishes the true perennial geraniums (genus Geranium or cranesbills), which can survive frost and cold winters, from the common tender bedding plants often called geraniums (genus Pelargonium).
Word Origin & Etymology
The phrase combines 'hardy' (from Old French 'hardi', meaning bold or robust) with 'geranium' (from Latin 'geranium', via Greek 'geranion', meaning cranesbill, named for the crane-like shape of its seed capsule).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.