Geranium 'Brookside'

Geranium 'Brookside': Cascades of Blue with Cottage Garden Spirit
Effortlessly graceful and beautifully free-flowering, Geranium 'Brookside' delivers a profusion of large, violet-blue blooms that shimmer with a touch of magenta veining and a white halo at the centre. Blooming from late spring into summer—and often repeating in autumn—this hybrid cranesbill brings vivid colour, a softly mounding form, and excellent garden adaptability. Ideal for borders, cottage gardens, or naturalistic plantings, it combines elegance with resilience, offering both movement and structure in sun or partial shade.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 45–60 cm
• Spread: 60–75 cm, forming a soft, arching mound
• Flower Colour: Bright violet-blue with magenta veins and a pale centre
• Flowering Period: Late spring to midsummer, with occasional autumn rebloom
• Foliage: Deeply cut, mid-green leaves; lightly aromatic and may turn reddish in autumn
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil; tolerant of a range of soil types once established

Uses and Benefits: Geranium 'Brookside' is ideal for weaving through borders, softening path edges, or mingling with other perennials in a relaxed, naturalistic style. Its bold blue blooms provide stunning contrast to warm or silvery tones and draw in bees and other pollinators. The softly arching habit fills space with ease, offering a loose yet tidy form that blends beautifully in layered plantings. Deer- and rabbit-resistant, it’s a reliable, long-lived choice for gardeners seeking easy colour and charm.

Companion Plants: Pair Geranium 'Brookside' with Nepeta 'Walker's Low', whose lavender-blue flowers and aromatic foliage extend the cool palette and bloom season. Add Alchemilla mollis, whose frothy chartreuse blooms and scalloped leaves offer both colour contrast and textural balance. Finish with Salvia 'Caradonna', whose upright, deep purple spikes echo the tones in Brookside’s veining and add vertical structure to the composition.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun to part shade with moist, well-drained soil. Water during dry periods, especially in sun-exposed areas. Deadhead to encourage a second flush of bloom later in the season. Cut back after flowering to promote fresh foliage and compact growth. Divide every 3–4 years in spring or fall to maintain health and vigour.

History: Geranium 'Brookside' is a hybrid between Geranium clarkei and Geranium pratense, combining the rich colouring of one parent with the floriferous nature and fine texture of the other. Named for its flowing, informal habit reminiscent of plants growing along streambanks, Brookside has earned a place in classic cottage gardens and modern borders alike for its adaptability and long-lasting display.

Final Thoughts: Flowing, floriferous, and full of colour, Geranium 'Brookside' brings a painterly touch to any border. Its blue blooms, soft form, and repeat flowering make it a favourite among gardeners who value both ease and elegance. Whether massed along a path or mingled with other perennials in a layered planting, it offers a quietly captivating presence—and a steady stream of pollinator visitors throughout the season.