Oxford Geranium Geranium × oxonianum 'A.t. Johnson'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Geranium × oxonianum 'A.T. Johnson' is often referred to simply as Hardy Geranium. This plant is known for its aesthetic appeal, characterized primarily by its lush foliage and beautiful blooms. The leaves are typically rounded with a lobed appearance, creating a textured and dense green backdrop for the flowers. These leaves may also exhibit interesting patterning with variations in shades of green, sometimes with hints of other colors in the veins or edges, lending a vibrant contrast to the soft hues of the blooms. The flowers are a standout feature, with their delicate and airy appearance, often seen in soft shades of pink or lavender. The petals are rounded with slight notches at the edges, radiating from a center that could be a contrasting color, like a deeper pink or purple, adding to the visual interest. Each flower consists of five petals and appears atop long, slender stalks, rising gracefully above the foliage. The blooms can be quite profuse, covering the plant in a profusion of color during the peak blooming seasons, which is usually in late spring or early summer. The vibrant flowering often attracts a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies. Overall, the Hardy Geranium 'A.T. Johnson' offers a soft, romantic feel to garden spaces due to its abundant, frothy flowers and the attractive nature of its foliage. It is typically used as ground cover or in borders, adding both color and texture to garden designs.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Geraniaceae
- Synonyms
  Oxford Geranium, A.T. Johnson Geranium
- Common names
  Geranium × oxonianum 'A.t. Johnson'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Geraniums are generally considered non-toxic to humans. If ingested, they are not known to cause serious harm, but they may potentially cause mild gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea, in some individuals due to the presence of tannins and other compounds. However, such instances are rare, and the geranium, specifically Geranium × oxonianum 'A.T. Johnson', is typically regarded as safe around humans with no significant toxic effects reported.
- To pets
  Geraniums are also generally considered non-toxic to pets. However, some species of plants within the geranium family may contain small amounts of toxins that could potentially cause mild upset stomach or dermatitis in pets if ingested or if the pet comes into contact with the sap. The Geranium × oxonianum 'A.T. Johnson' is not known to be significantly toxic to pets, but as with any non-food plant, ingestion should be avoided to prevent potential stomach upset.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Pink
- Height
  1 foot 6 inches (45 cm)
- Spread
  2 feet (60 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  5
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Easy to grow - Geranium × oxonianum 'A.T. Johnson' is known for being a hardy and undemanding plant, making it suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Drought-tolerant - Once established, this cranesbill variety can tolerate periods of dry weather, requiring less frequent watering.
- Long blooming period - It produces flowers continuously from early summer to autumn, providing a long-lasting display of color in the garden.
- Attracts pollinators - The flowers attract bees and butterflies, which are beneficial for pollination of plants in the garden.
- Ground cover - This geranium species serves as effective ground cover, spreading to fill spaces and suppress weeds.
- Ornamental foliage - The plant has attractive foliage that adds texture and color to the garden, even when it is not in bloom.
- Cold hardy - It can survive in cooler climates and tolerate frost, making it suitable for a wide range of gardening zones.
- Low maintenance - The plant generally requires minimal care beyond occasional pruning to keep it healthy and encourage new growth.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Groundcover Enhancement: Geranium x oxonianum 'A.T. Johnson' is effective for stabilizing soil on slopes and is used to provide a lush, green carpet in areas where other plants might struggle to thrive.
- Insect Attractant: This plant attracts beneficial insects to the garden, such as bees and butterflies, which are important for pollination of surrounding plants.
- Photography Subject: The vibrant flowers and attractive foliage make it a favored subject for garden photographers and plant enthusiasts.
- Bouquets and Floral Arrangements: The cut flowers can be used to add a cottage garden feel to indoor arrangements.
- Garden Design and Borders: Its mound-forming habit makes it suitable for creating soft edges and border fronts in garden designs.
- Educational Resource: Horticulture programs often use Geranium x oxonianum 'A.T. Johnson' to teach plant identification and propagation techniques.
- Companion Planting: The plant can be used as a companion to roses and other shrubs to create a varied and attractive planting scheme, as well as to help deter certain pests.
- Culinary Garnish: Though not widely recognized as edible, the petals can be used as a decorative garnish for salads and desserts.
- Landscape Painting: The picturesque appearance of the plant makes it a common feature in landscape paintings and botanical art.
- Craft Projects: The leaves and flowers can be pressed and used in craft projects, such as homemade cards and bookmarks.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The geranium is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The geranium is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Unexpected Meeting: Geraniums are often associated with encountering something unexpected. The 'A.t. Johnson' variety carries this meaning, suggesting a chance encounter or surprise.
- True Friendship: These flowers are also symbolic of true friendship, signifying a bond that is both deep and enduring.
- Good Health: Geranium × oxonianum 'A.t. Johnson' is thought to represent good health, with many people using geraniums to wish others well or to promote wellness in their own homes.
- Favor: In some folklore, geraniums can represent favor or goodwill, making them a kind gesture when given as a gift.
- Positive Energy: Due to their bright and cheerful appearance, they are often seen as a symbol of positive energy and vibes, which can uplift the mood in any setting.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 1-2 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to early summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The Geranium 'A.T. Johnson' enjoys consistent moisture, but it's crucial not to overwater to prevent root rot. During the growing season, water your Geranium 'A.T. Johnson' thoroughly once the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, approximately every 7 to 10 days, depending on climate conditions. Apply about 16 ounces of water for smaller pots and up to 1-2 gallons for larger garden plants, ensuring even soil moisture. Reduce watering in the winter months when the plant is dormant. Always use a pot with drainage holes to avoid standing water.
Light
Geranium 'A.T. Johnson' thrives in bright, indirect sunlight and can tolerate partial shade. The ideal spot for this plant is one where it receives morning sunlight and afternoon shade, or dappled sunlight throughout the day. Avoid placing it in full, harsh afternoon sun which can scorch the leaves.
Temperature
The Geranium 'A.T. Johnson' prefers moderate temperatures and can handle a range between 50°F and 75°F. Keep it protected from frost, as it will not survive temperatures below freezing. The ideal growth conditions for this geranium are around 60°F to 70°F.
Pruning
Prune Geranium 'A.T. Johnson' to maintain its shape, remove dead or faded flowers, and encourage bushier growth and more blooms. Deadheading, or removing spent blooms, can be done throughout the blooming season. A more extensive pruning should be performed in late winter or early spring to rejuvenate the plant and promote vigorous new growth.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The Oxford Geranium thrives in a fertile, well-draining soil mix with a pH range of 5.8 to 6.3. An ideal mix would be loam-based, augmented with organic matter such as compost or peat and sharp sand to improve drainage.
Repotting
Oxford Geraniums often require repotting every two to three years or when rootbound for optimal growth.
Humidity & Misting
Oxford Geraniums are tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels, but prefer average to moderately high ambient humidity.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Ensure bright indirect light, moderate watering, and good air circulation.
- Outdoor
  Plant in partial shade, amend soil with compost.
- Hardiness zone
  5-8 USDA
Life cycle
Geranium 'A.T. Johnson' begins its life cycle as a seed, which, when sown in fertile soil and given appropriate warmth and moisture, will germinate to produce small seedlings. These seedlings rapidly develop true leaves and a root system, becoming established young plants that can be transplanted into their final growing location. Over time, they grow into a clump-forming perennial with robust stems and deeply lobed leaves, reaching maturity wherein they start to bloom with pale pink to lilac flowers that are attractive to pollinators. Following pollination, the flowers produce seeds that are generally distributed around the parent plant, allowing for natural propagation. During the autumn, the plant starts to die back as it enters a period of dormancy to survive the winter, only to resprout from the rootstock the following spring. This cycle of growth, reproduction, and dormancy repeats annually, with the plant often gradually spreading to form larger clumps over the years.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to early summer
- Geranium × oxonianum 'A.t. Johnson', commonly known as the Geranium Johnson's Blue, is typically propagated through division. Division is best done in the spring or autumn when the plant is not in active bloom. To propagate by division, carefully dig up the entire clump of the plant, ensuring a good portion of roots for each section you plan to divide. Use a sharp spade or knife to separate the clump into smaller pieces, each with a decent root system and several shoots. These divisions can then be immediately replanted in well-preparing soil, spaced about 12 to 24 inches (approximately 30 to 60 centimeters) apart to allow adequate room for growth. Water the new plants thoroughly after planting to help establish them in their new location. This method allows the gardener to quickly and effectively increase their Geranium Johnson's Blue stock while maintaining the health and vigor of the parent plant.