Which of these hardy geraniums is better?

CraighB

Hi guys,

I am looking at getting some hardy geraniums in a blue colour and I was looking at The following 3... Geranium Brookside, Geranium Rozanne and Geranium Johnsons Blue.

They are all similar in colour and size so it's hard to choose between them. I was wondering if anyone has any experience in growing any of them and which is the better performer?

thanks

Last edited: 03 August 2016 13:52:05

Obelixx

Don't know Brookside.  My Rozanne's flower for much longer then my Johnson's Blue and behave well if planted in full sun.   When I had them in a slightly more sheltered and shady spot they grew very leggy and floppy and sprawled whereas the JBs kept their composure and just migrated quietly forward in their bed as the cornus at whose feet they were planted matured and increased in size.

Dovefromabove

I agree - Rozanne is great in a sunny spot - in a shadier spot they grow lanky and don't flower as well.  

Hortum-cretae

'Rozanne'.  'Brookside' is taller, more seasonal, 'Johnson's Blue' has shorter flowering preiod, too, even if cut back and provoked into flower again.  'Rozanne' was voted "Chelsea Plant of the Centenary" (1993 - 2002) and is well worth the title, flowering for 4 or 5 months, sun or part shade. 

H-C

wakeshine

I have Rozanne  - I find it very flat, sprawling and a bit floppy. But it does flower longer than Johnson's Blue apparently, and the flower is very big and the most striking, beautiful bright colour. I ruled out Johnson's blue because of the short flowering period. I bought Brookside recently and found it to be a completely different shape - it hasn't flowered for me yet, but it's taller and more upright, which is what I wanted. But it's a trade off between do you want something upright or low growing.  

Buzzy2

My Brookside only flowers for about a month, although the foliage is nice

Joyce21

I have JB for early colour and Rozanne  for the summer.

lydiaann

I have Johnson's Blue and, yes, they don't flower for too long and are prone to the flop.  However, given the Chelsea Chop right down to the ground, they immediately pop back up and mine are just starting their next flowering; as the Jacob's Ladder next to it has just finished, they take up the scheme very nicely.

CraighB

Thanks guys. Well I think the clear winner is Rozanne. I would rather have a plant that flowers for a longer period and I need something low growing for the front of the border. it does look a lovely plant and I have read amazing reviews about it!