Common Name: cranesbill
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Geraniaceae
Zone: 4 to 8
Height: 1.00 to 1.50 feet
Spread: 2.00 to 2.50 feet
Bloom Time: June to September
Bloom Description: Blue
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Naturalize
Flower: Showy
Attracts: Butterflies
Tolerate: Rabbit, Deer
Culture
Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist, organic soils. Established plants have some drought tolerance. Plants prefer some part afternoon shade in the St. Louis area. In hot summer climates, the primary bloom runs from late spring to early summer (June - July) with a lighter bloom continuing throughout summer into fall. If bloom interrupts in the heat of the summer, plants can be cut back to rejuvenate, shape and/or encourage a late summer/early fall rebloom. In cooler northern climates, plants usually bloom well throughout summer into fall. Side stems may be removed or trimmed at any time to control spread.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Geranium is a genus of about 300 species of annuals and herbaceous perennials from temperate regions. Many make excellent garden plants and many hybrids have been made.
Genus name comes from the Greek word geranos meaning crane in reference to the fruit which purportedly resembles the head and beak of a crane.
‘Johnson’s Blue’ is one of the most popular blue-flowered geraniums. It first appeared in English gardens in the 1950s. It is reportedly a hybrid between G. himalayense and G. pretense. It is a rhizomatous perennial that typically grows in a dense spreading mound to 12-18” tall and to 24-30” wide. Large, saucer-shaped, sky blue flowers (to 2” diameter) bloom in clusters (cymes) above the foliage from late spring to early fall. Deeply cut dark green foliage.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Some susceptibility to leaf spots and rusts.
Uses
Rock gardens, cottage gardens or borders. Mass for ground cover. Containers.