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Geranium ‘Johnson’s Blue’ (Cranesbill)

Geranium Ibericum 'Johnson's Blue', 'Johnson's Blue' Geranium

AGM Award
Geranium Johnson's Blue, Geranium Ibericum 'Johnson's Blue', 'Johnson's Blue' Geranium, Johnson Blue, Blue Geranium, Best geraniums, Best groundcovers

One of the most popular blue-flowered geraniums, ‘Johnson’s Blue’ forms dense, spreading mounds of neatly cut leaves, topped with abundant clusters of large, saucer-shaped, sky blue flowers, 2 in. wide (5 cm), from late spring to midsummer. Compact, its foliage remains attractive throughout the growing season and makes it useful as a low ground cover. Turning showy red and gold in fall, it creates a pretty contrast.

  • Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
  • Clump-forming and vigorous, this deciduous perennial reaches 12-18 in. in height (30-45 cm) and spreads 24-30 in. wide (60-75 cm). This sturdy performer is not only easy to grow, but it also requires very little maintenance and is pest and disease free!
  • Performs best in full sun or part shade, in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Prefers moist, organic soils. Drought tolerant, once established, it is attractive to butterflies but deer and rabbit resistant.
  • A perfect border plant, it is a spectacular addition to beds, borders, cottage gardens, rock gardens, underplanting roses and shrubs or containers. It is an excellent choice as an edging plant.
  • Geranium ‘Johnson’s Blue’ is a hybrid of Geranium himalayense and Geranium pratense.

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A2, A3
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Geraniaceae
Genus Geranium
Common names Cranesbill
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early, Mid)
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 24" - 36"
(60cm - 90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Edging, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’ (Cranesbill)
Geranium carolinianum (Carolina Geranium)
Geranium viscosissimum (Sticky Purple Geranium)
Geranium clarkei ‘Kashmir White’ (Cranesbill)
Geranium sanguineum ‘Max Frei’ (Bloody Cranesbill)
Geranium x oxonianum ‘Miss Heidi’ (Cranesbill)

Recommended Companion Plants

Digitalis purpurea (Common Foxglove)
Cirsium rivulare ‘Atropurpureum’ (Plume Thistle)
Phlomis russeliana (Jerusalem Sage)
Gladiolus communis subsp. byzantinus (Byzantine Gladiolus)
Rosa Benjamin Britten (English Rose)
Centranthus ruber (Red Valerian)
Astrantia major ‘Roma’ (Great Masterwort)
Nepeta racemosa ‘Walker’s Low’ (Catmint)
Alchemilla mollis (Lady’s Mantle)
Allium cristophii (Star of Persia)
Allium hollandicum ‘Purple Sensation’ (Ornamental Onion)
Iris sibirica (Siberian Iris)

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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A2, A3
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Geraniaceae
Genus Geranium
Common names Cranesbill
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early, Mid)
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 24" - 36"
(60cm - 90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Edging, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Geranium (Cranesbill)
Not sure which Geranium (Cranesbill) to pick?
Compare Now

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