Long flowering hardy Geranium

I have three superb hardy Geraniums, that flower for 4 months or more. Patricia, Rozanne and Ann Folkard. But I also have Mrs Kendal Clark, which can only manage 3 weeks, and Dusky Crug, which can't be bothered to do even that - and I would like to replace them.

Does anyone know of any other Geraniums that flower a long time? Anyone have Mavis Simpson, supposed to be a long flowerer?

 

I haven't made such detailed notes asyou have about flowering seasons, Peter, but I do have a few geraniums that need dividing, including some Johnsons Blue, and the basic pink cranesbill whose name escapes me (it's been that sort of day!) - so let me know if you'd like any of those, and I'll send you some when I divide them in the autumn

 

Dendro - thats a very kind offer. But really at the moment I am just looking for names. I am not even sure if I have room for any more Geraniums. I understand that the true Johnson's Blue flowers for a very long time - but I also understand that many plants sold as that are not the true variety and do not flower for long. Does yours flower for a long time.

We all have our different aspects of interest within gardening, and one of mine has been to find long flowering plants. Some things do flower for a very long time and I am giving them a PSM ( PeterS medal). For instance Geranium 'Rozanne' PSM was in full flower last year in my garden for 17 weeks and in partial flower for another 6 weeks making 23 weeks in all. The reason it flowers so long is that it is sterile.

 

We only got ours last year, and they weren't as bushy as they are already this year, so I don't think I can say for sure yet, Peter. I'll be able to say with more certainty after this year. I got mine from Crocus, who are about as reliable as they come, so there's a good chance of them being genuine.

 

Its a funny thing how there can be more than one plant with the identical name. I use American forums some times - there's a specialist Geraniums forum which I find useful, but sometimes they are talking about quite different things - like what will stand the summer heat! They were talking about the different Johnson's Blue. There is also a specialist Salvia forum. From there I have found out that the American Salvia guaranitica 'Black and Blue' is quite different from the British one. I also bought a Penstemon 'Blackbird' two years running in Morrisons, and they were identical plants (and very nice too) - but they were quite different from the illustration in my Penstemon book - quite a different colour and description. But then its not surprising - how do you know that what the label says is true. One of the lads could have tripped over and mixed up the cuttings and even the company wouldn't know. And that split could be perpetuated for ever.

 

The same applies to packets of seeds! I planted some Violas (can't remember where they were from) and they're all Lobeilia! I think the common pink Geranium is called Wargrave Pink. My new Geranium Pheum referred to as 'Mourning Widow'in Gardeners World mag is just starting to flower, I'll let you know how long it lasts.

 

Hi BekiMac - I see the pink one everywhere. I am never sure whether it really is Wargrave pink. No one seems to buy it - they just get a bit of someone else's! :D

I spoke to a gardener at Newby Hall today, who clearly knew his stuff. He said he could believe that G. Johnson's Blue was not the original. It has just had its AGM revoked. I had never heard of that happening. He quoted 'Brookside' as a long flowerer.

 

PeterS, you're spot on, most of mine are clumps from other people, so I don't know most of their names, apart from a couple of new ones I bought; 'Pink Spice' & 'Rene Mace' they're all varying shades of pink. I didn't know AGMs could be revoked either, strange. GW mag has big pic of 'Johnson's Blue' in June's edition, doesn't mention the AGM. I'd like a blue one, and a white one too, there's an discount offer in there I might take up. xx

 

I have not heard of 'Pink Spice' or 'Rene Mace'. If I could only have two Geraniums - my choice would be Patricia (pink) and Rozanne (same as Jolly Bee). They are both sterile and flower for ages. That also seems to be the view of the people on the American specialist Geranium forum.

 

Yes, looked them up, and the one's you chose are lovely.
Bit disappointed with the Mourning Widow, flowers don't last long, and are much smaller than I expected, albeit a smashing colour.