Hardy Geranium 'Johnson's Blue'

CHF 9.95

Hardy Geranium 'Johnson's Blue'

Name: Hardy Geranium 'Johnson's Blue'
Brand: Geranium
Price: 9.95 CHF
Availability: OutOfStock

Geranium × johnsonii 'Johnson's Blue'

CHF 9.95

Clear blue, cup-shaped flowers of about 5 cm
Flowers from May to September
Finely divided foliage with orange autumn colour
About 45–55 cm tall
Long-lived and vigorous in many soils

'Johnson's Blue' is a classic blue hardy geranium. Its cup-shaped flowers in lavender to sky blue sit above finely divided foliage that turns orange and red in autumn. A robust, long-lived perennial for the front of borders and ground cover.

About this variety

The blue of 'Johnson's Blue' is clear and cool, with a slight lavender tone. The flowers grow about 5 cm across and open flat like small saucers. The finely cut foliage is decorative all summer and turns orange and red in autumn.

At 45–55 cm tall, the variety suits the front of borders, the ground beneath roses and spaces between taller perennials. Yellow partners such as lady's mantle or daylilies make the blue glow. Sun to partial shade is ideal; it is less fond of fierce midday heat. Beneath roses it hides bare stems and keeps the soil nicely covered. Slugs and snails usually avoid the plant, which makes it particularly easy to care for.

Bees and bumblebees eagerly collect nectar. It is of limited use as a cut flower, but a dependable perennial in the garden. The repeat flowering after cutting back tends to be light. It also establishes reliably on slopes and in difficult spots beneath trees. In autumn the foliage often takes on warm colours, extending its impact in the border.

Planting

The best planting time is spring (March to May) or autumn (September to October). Dig the planting hole twice the size of the root ball and set the shoot buds just below the soil surface. Allow a spacing of 40–50 cm and then water in generously.

Care

Water in dry periods, especially in the first year. A little compost in spring is enough. Cut the plant back close to the ground after the first flush of flowers; it will then produce fresh growth and often flower a second time. You can divide large clumps every few years in spring or autumn.

Specifications

Botanical name: Geranium × johnsonii 'Johnson's Blue'
Genus: Hardy geranium
Class: Various
Supplied as: Bare roots
Flower colour: Purple, Blue
Flower size: 4 cm
Flowering time: May, June, July, August, September
Flowering season: Late spring, Early summer, High summer, Late summer and autumn
Foliage colour: Mid-green
Height: 50 cm
Spread: 60 cm
Habit: Clump-forming
Position: Sun, Partial shade
Suitable for: Bed, Bed edge and border, Pot and container, Rock garden, Wildlife garden and meadow, Woodland edge
Soil type: Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Drainage: Well-drained
Soil moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Neutral
Soil note: Suitable for many Swiss garden soils. A loose structure and good drainage matter more than a particular soil type.
Water needs: Medium
Planting time: March, April, May, September, October
Planting depth: Just cover the root collar
Spacing: 40–50 cm
Number per m²: 5
Hardiness in Switzerland: Hardy in Switzerland
Hardiness by location: Hardy, also at higher altitudes
Hardiness zone (USDA): 4–8
Overwintering note: Generally hardy in garden soil in Switzerland. At high, windy sites and in containers, plan extra winter protection and avoid winter wet.
For containers: Only partly suitable for containers
Container note: Only recommended in a sufficiently large, stable, well-drained container.
Cut flower: Partly suitable as a cut flower
Naturalising: Not suitable
Naturalising note: Persists for several years in a suitable spot, but does not normally spread over larger areas on its own.
For bees and butterflies: Pollinator-friendly
RHS hardiness: H7