Hardy Geraniums

Funny, ain't it. We have lots of hardy geraniums, but some of them are real seed thugs and we spend as much time removing them as we do say nettles or dock.

 

Too right Palustris! thats why I balk at "Johnstons Blue" I had a whole garden full of it & alchamilla and ground elder when I first moved in and don't know which is/was worst.

 

Hey, hey, hey folks Mrs DAG will be after you if you talk about Johnsons Blue like that! :D :D

Must depend upon the soil surely, I've had it about 10 years and only grows where I put it, but I am on heavy clay!

 

Johnson's Blue is one of the oldest hybrids (G. himalayense x G.pratense) Propagated by division and just about the bluest geranium.

Unwanted seeding is generally associated with our native annuals such as Herb Robert. To prevent seeding, go over any clumps with your shears when the the flowers have fallen and the "cranes bills" are forming.

 

Oh hornbeam I do all that and yes DAG I know MRS D does love it, and I do use Johnsons Blue, but it just loves me toooo much.

I also have an almost black one I think called "Black Widow" which acts in the same way, they are both useful and do well in shade.

 

Mourning Widow is G.phaem (our native dusky cranesbill) and good for deepest shade, though the flowers are quite small. Geraniums seem to do best on limestone especialy our native meadow cranesbill (G. pratense) and that is one of the parents of Johnston's Blue. I'm on river gravel and clay so don't have a problem. Claridge Druce can get a bit thuggish which is why I keep it as ground cover in the woodland garden,

 

Yes hornbeam thats the one, flower small but does a great job. I am on rich river loam and this is great on damp shady areas. I just love the geraniums they are such good value for work ratio, you just cut them back and the next thing you know is that they are back in you face again - great stuff!

 

great snaps hornbeam and fran. sat in doors dark wet and windy out. go to bed with a smile on my face and thinking of tomorrows job out side

 

Bright sunny photo on a wet grey day!
You can grow alpine hardy geraniums too. This was Ballerina in one of my scree gardens last summer. Thrush sometimes uses the rock as an anvil.

 

Are geranium evergreen plants or not.

Shaila

 

Some are and some are not. Sorry that's not very helpful is it. Most lose their leaves in winter, but these types are evergreen:
Geranium cinereun, G. macrorrhizum (great for ground cover)G.x oxonium, G.phaem, G.pulchrum, G. pyreaium, G. robustum, G. traversii, G. versicolor

 

Hornbeam, you seem an expert on geraniums, so please can you tell me if I can grow Johnsons Blue from seed?

 

Yes you can, but I have never tried. Two reasons are that they seed themselves and are easy to propagate by division. Collect seed when the cranesbill is ripe and read to split in summer. Store in a dry place until spring. Sow in moist loam with grit in pots or trays. Stand pots in water until soil shines with moisture. Cover with glass until the seeds germinate. Should flower a year later. Good luck

 

Thanks for the info Hornbeam. Thought I would try getting them from seed instead of buying plants. More satisfying when it's a DIY.

 

I've been googling all over but nobody seems to sell hardy geranium seeds. Any ideas anyone Please?