Some Outstanding Hardy Geraniums
Ballerina and Johnson’s Blue hardyy geranium are great perennials for the home landscape.
Geranium Ballerina
Ballerina geranium is a hybrid that originated in England at Blooms of Bressingham. This plant has received numerous awards over the years. The Royal Horticultural Society gave it the award of garden merit.
The spreading plant is shaped like a rosette. It is suited to zones four through nine. This is only four to six inches tall with a spread of a foot.
The basal rounded foliage is soft and much divided. This is gray to gray-green.
Ballerina geranium blooms over a long period from summer into fall. This is partly possible because the plant bears no seeds, thus ensuring that it can bloom freely.
The flower stems are lax. The flowers are purple-pink to pink lilac. Two inches wide, they feature lilac-purple centers or eyes.
Johnson’s Blue Hardy Geranium
Johnson’s Blue hardy geranium is an extremely popular variety. It is considered a hybrid. The plant was originally released in England about 1950 or so.
This was raised from seed by Bonnie Ruysa. She had obtained seeds of a Geranium pratense from A.T. Johnson.
Now considered a classic perennial, Johnson’s Blue hardy geranium makes a great ground cover. It does well in zones three through eight. However, this isn’t considered a reliable perennial in the South because of the heat.
The mounding plant can be a foot to 1½ feet in height. It spreads by rhizomes. Over time, it spreads to form a dense, leafy mat.
The deeply divided, very attractive leaves are two to eight inches long. Medium green, they’re toothed and lobed. In the fall they turn vivid red.
Johnson’s Blue geranium flowers are clear blue to lavender-blue or light gentian-blue. They can develop pink tinges in the center. The petals have dark blue veins.
The cup-like to saucer-like flowers are 1½ to two inches wide. It is very free flowering, and continues for a long period since it is seedless. Flowering begins in late spring and extends into fall assuming the plant is deadheaded as needed.
The flowers are held above the foliage and form loose cymes.
This plant does well in full sun to part shade in cooler areas and part shade in warm regions. It is suited to most reasonably rich, moist soils. For best results, do water this during dry spells.
A very reliable perennial, this is also called cranesbill or hardy geranium. It received the Royal Horticultural Society’s award of garden merit. Walter’s Garden called this the “best known blue geranium.”
This plant needs a well drained soil. It is tolerant of frost.
Geranium Ballerina
Ballerina geranium is a hybrid that originated in England at Blooms of Bressingham. This plant has received numerous awards over the years. The Royal Horticultural Society gave it the award of garden merit.
The spreading plant is shaped like a rosette. It is suited to zones four through nine. This is only four to six inches tall with a spread of a foot.
The basal rounded foliage is soft and much divided. This is gray to gray-green.
Ballerina geranium blooms over a long period from summer into fall. This is partly possible because the plant bears no seeds, thus ensuring that it can bloom freely.
The flower stems are lax. The flowers are purple-pink to pink lilac. Two inches wide, they feature lilac-purple centers or eyes.
Johnson’s Blue Hardy Geranium
Johnson’s Blue hardy geranium is an extremely popular variety. It is considered a hybrid. The plant was originally released in England about 1950 or so.
This was raised from seed by Bonnie Ruysa. She had obtained seeds of a Geranium pratense from A.T. Johnson.
Now considered a classic perennial, Johnson’s Blue hardy geranium makes a great ground cover. It does well in zones three through eight. However, this isn’t considered a reliable perennial in the South because of the heat.
The mounding plant can be a foot to 1½ feet in height. It spreads by rhizomes. Over time, it spreads to form a dense, leafy mat.
The deeply divided, very attractive leaves are two to eight inches long. Medium green, they’re toothed and lobed. In the fall they turn vivid red.
Johnson’s Blue geranium flowers are clear blue to lavender-blue or light gentian-blue. They can develop pink tinges in the center. The petals have dark blue veins.
The cup-like to saucer-like flowers are 1½ to two inches wide. It is very free flowering, and continues for a long period since it is seedless. Flowering begins in late spring and extends into fall assuming the plant is deadheaded as needed.
The flowers are held above the foliage and form loose cymes.
This plant does well in full sun to part shade in cooler areas and part shade in warm regions. It is suited to most reasonably rich, moist soils. For best results, do water this during dry spells.
A very reliable perennial, this is also called cranesbill or hardy geranium. It received the Royal Horticultural Society’s award of garden merit. Walter’s Garden called this the “best known blue geranium.”
This plant needs a well drained soil. It is tolerant of frost.
Related Articles
Editor's Picks Articles
Top Ten Articles
Previous Features
Site Map
Content copyright © 2023 by Connie Krochmal. All rights reserved.
This content was written by Connie Krochmal. If you wish to use this content in any manner, you need written permission. Contact Connie Krochmal for details.
