Xela's Garden

Cranesbill G.'Johnson's Blue' [B,S,V]

Genus: Geranium.

Species: Geranium.

Planted '00 Vistabile [lobby border]
'08 Shenstone [garage border]
03.11 Blossom cottage [lilac flower border back garden]

Soil type: well drained soil
Exposure: sun or light shade

Hardy geraniums provide a long burst of summer flowers in a superb range of colours. There's at least one variety for every garden, whether small, large, dry, damp or shady. And they mix well with all kinds of plants.

Geraniums were brought to Britain in the 16th century. They were originally grown in physic gardens, but quickly found their way into ornamental ones. Don't confuse them with the indoor pelargoniums, which are completely different and don't survive outdoors in winter.

Geraniums range from the low-growing kind for the front of a border, which flop on the grass, to the tall, upright kind.

G. 'Johnson's Blue': immensely popular, it's smothered in mid-blue flowers from early summer to autumn. The finely divided foliage makes a dense clump in sun or partial shade. It's received the AGM.

Soil preferences: Geraniums thrive in most soils, unless extremely waterlogged.
Site: sun or dappled shade

planting When buying geraniums, look for plants with plenty of leaves and shoots growing from the base. They can be planted at any time, but spring and autumn are ideal.

Planting associations: With specimens in shades of blue, pink, maroon and white, geraniums can be used in most colour schemes. One of their most useful qualities is an ability to form attractive, floriferous ground cover,

Cutting back: Most species die down in the autumn, when their old foliage and stems can be cut back to encourage a crop of fresh leaves in spring.

Feeding: A light scattering of a general fertiliser around plants in the spring keeps them happy all year.

Propagation: easily propagated by division in the spring.

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