Geranium 'Johnson's Blue' – Planting & Care Guide

About Geranium 'Johnson's Blue'

Geranium 'Johnson's Blue', commonly known as Cranesbill, is a classic hardy perennial admired for its masses of beautiful clear blue to violet-blue flowers. The saucer-shaped blooms feature subtle darker veining and appear above deeply divided, fresh green foliage from late spring into midsummer.

Growing to approximately 40–60cm tall with a spread of 60–90cm, 'Johnson's Blue' develops into a broad, informal mound that is excellent for filling gaps and softening the edges of borders. Its flowers are also attractive to bees and other pollinating insects.

Planting Guide

• Plant in full sun or partial shade.
• Best flowering generally occurs where plants receive plenty of sunlight.
• Prefers fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil.
• Tolerates a wide range of garden soils once established.
• Improve poor soil with compost or well-rotted organic matter before planting.
• Dig a planting hole approximately twice the width of the root ball.
• Position the plant at the same depth as it was growing in its container.
• Backfill, firm gently and water thoroughly.
• Apply an organic mulch around the plant to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
• Space plants approximately 60–75cm apart.

Care & Maintenance

Geranium 'Johnson's Blue' is a reliable, low-maintenance perennial.

• Water regularly during the first growing season.
• Once established, water during prolonged dry periods.
• Feed lightly with a balanced fertiliser in spring if growing in poor soil.
• Apply compost or well-rotted organic matter around established plants each spring.
• Avoid excessive feeding, which can encourage soft, sprawling growth.
• Established plants generally cope well with normal Irish rainfall.

Pruning

Cutting back after flowering helps keep the plant compact and encourages fresh foliage.

• Remove individual faded flowers if desired.
• After the main flowering period, cut the entire plant back quite hard.
• Fresh foliage will quickly develop and plants may produce some additional flowers later in the season.
• Remove dead growth in late autumn or early spring.
• Divide large, congested clumps every 3–5 years in spring or autumn.

Growing Conditions

• Botanical Name: Geranium 'Johnson's Blue'
• Common Name: Cranesbill, Hardy Geranium
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Mature Height: Approximately 40–60cm
• Spread: Approximately 60–90cm
• Flower Colour: Clear blue to violet-blue
• Flowering Period: May to July
• Foliage: Deeply divided, fresh green leaves
• Position: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Fertile, moist but well-drained
• Growth Habit: Broad, spreading and mound-forming
• Hardiness: Fully hardy and very well suited to Irish gardens

Ideal Uses in the Garden

Geranium 'Johnson's Blue' is particularly effective for creating relaxed, natural-looking planting.

• Mixed perennial borders
• Cottage gardens
• Rose gardens
• Informal ground cover
• Underplanting shrubs
• Wildlife-friendly gardens
• Pollinator planting
• Path edging
• Banks and slopes
• Traditional gardens

It combines beautifully with Roses, Nepeta, Salvia, Alchemilla, Astrantia, Campanula, Heuchera, Hostas and ornamental grasses.

Seasonal Interest

• Fresh divided foliage emerges during spring.
• Masses of blue flowers appear from late spring into midsummer.
• Flowers provide nectar for bees and other beneficial insects.
• Cutting back after flowering encourages a fresh mound of attractive foliage.
• Leaves may develop attractive red and orange tones in autumn before dying back.

Common Problems

Geranium 'Johnson's Blue' is generally very healthy and dependable.

• Plants can become sprawling or untidy after the first flowering flush.
• Cutting them back after flowering quickly encourages fresh, compact growth.
• Slugs and snails may occasionally damage young spring shoots.
• Powdery mildew can occur during prolonged dry conditions.
• Poorly drained, permanently wet soil can cause root problems.
• Older clumps may flower less vigorously and benefit from division.

With its beautiful blue flowers, relaxed spreading habit and excellent hardiness, Geranium 'Johnson's Blue' is a classic choice for Irish gardens. Particularly effective alongside roses and other cottage-garden perennials, it provides dependable early-summer colour while requiring very little maintenance.

• Size
  2L

Kindly be aware when mix/ mixed/ assorted/ varieties is mention you will receive ONLY ONE plant/ item, which will be selected for delivery, photos may show different varieties available - which may also vary 

 
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Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
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