Geranium ‘Johnson’s Blue’ – A Timeless Border Favourite with Clear Blue Flowers
Geranium ‘Johnson’s Blue’ is one of the most loved and widely grown hardy geraniums, valued for its generous display of clear sky-blue flowers and its easy, spreading habit. From late spring through early summer, large saucer-shaped blooms are held above softly divided green foliage, creating a relaxed, informal look that suits almost any garden style.
The plant quickly forms a low, spreading mound, making it ideal for filling gaps in borders, softening edges, and suppressing weeds beneath shrubs and roses. After its main flush of flowers, a light trim encourages fresh foliage and often a second, lighter bloom later in the season.
Exceptionally hardy and adaptable, ‘Johnson’s Blue’ thrives in sun or partial shade and copes well with most soil types. Its reliability and low-maintenance nature make it a staple of cottage gardens, mixed borders, and naturalistic planting schemes, where it blends beautifully with perennials and shrubs alike.
Easy-going, long-flowering, and endlessly useful, Geranium ‘Johnson’s Blue’ is a garden classic that never goes out of fashion.
Seasonal Highlights
Late Spring: Masses of large, clear-blue flowers appear.
Summer: Soft green foliage forms a spreading groundcover.
Autumn: Fresh leaves follow cutting back; occasional late flowers.
Winter: Herbaceous plant dies back and re-emerges in spring.
Key Features
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Clear blue flowers – One of the bluest hardy geraniums.
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Spreading habit – Excellent groundcover and gap-filler.
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Long flowering – Blooms generously in late spring and early summer.
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Hardy and reliable – Easy to grow in most gardens.
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Low maintenance – Responds well to a simple cut back.
Perfect For
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Mixed borders – Softens planting and fills gaps beautifully.
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Groundcover – Suppresses weeds under shrubs and roses.
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Cottage gardens – Classic, informal charm.
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Wildlife-friendly gardens – Attracts pollinators.
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Naturalistic planting – Blends easily with other perennials.
Growing Tips
Sun/Position: Full sun to partial shade.
Soil: Moist but well-drained soil; tolerates most soil types.
Hardiness: Fully hardy across the UK.
Care: Cut back after the first flush of flowers to encourage fresh growth and possible re-flowering.
Looks Great With
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Roses – Softens and complements shrub and climbing roses.
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Cottage perennials – Alchemilla, Campanula, Aquilegia.
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Grasses – Stipa, Deschampsia.
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Shrubs – Hydrangea, Spiraea, Philadelphus.