Hardy geranium (Geranium 'Gernic' SUMMER SKIES)

Overview

Geranium ‘Gernic’ SUMMER SKIES is a standout herbaceous perennial prized for its abundant, uniquely double violet-blue blooms. This specific variety of Hardy geranium offers excellent texture and color for the mid-to-late season garden, contrasting nicely with its deeply cut, gray-green foliage. It forms an attractive clump, typically reaching about two feet in both height and spread, making it a reliable structural plant.

This cultivar thrives when given average, well-drained soil, performing well across USDA Zones 5 to 8. While it prefers consistent moisture, established plants show reasonable drought tolerance, particularly when situated with some afternoon shade in hotter climates. The low maintenance requirements and resistance to common pests like rabbits and deer make the Geranium ‘Gernic’ SUMMER SKIES an invaluable choice for busy gardeners.

The primary aesthetic reward is the profusion of flowers during June and July, with the potential for lighter rebloom later in the season if managed correctly. For gardeners seeking reliable, colorful ground cover or border accents that require minimal fuss, the Hardy geranium collection, exemplified by ‘SUMMER SKIES,’ offers superb value.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Geraniaceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-8
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 1.5-2 ft
  • Spread: 1.5-2 ft
• Bloom Time: June to July
• Bloom Description: Violet-blue (double)
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

Plant Geranium ‘Gernic’ SUMMER SKIES during the spring or fall for best establishment, ensuring the location provides the right balance of sun. Though acceptable in full sun, plants prefer moist, organic soils and benefit significantly from afternoon shade when planted in hotter regions like the St. Louis area to prevent bloom interruption. Prepare the site by amending the soil to ensure it is well-drained.

Watering should be consistent, aiming for medium moisture levels, though established plants handle brief dry spells better than newly planted specimens. Fertilization is usually unnecessary if the soil is rich in organic matter. Keep an eye on the bloom cycle; in hot climates, the main flush occurs June to July. If flowering halts due to excessive heat, a hard cutback will rejuvenate the plant, encouraging continued light blooming into the fall.

Maintenance for this Hardy geranium is generally straightforward. Side stems can be trimmed as needed to manage size or prevent excessive spread. In cooler northern climates, the bloom period is often longer, extending well through summer into fall without such drastic mid-season pruning.

Landscape Uses

The robust, clump-forming habit of Geranium ‘Gernic’ SUMMER SKIES makes it highly versatile in landscape design. It performs exceptionally well when massed together to create a dense ground cover, effectively suppressing weeds while offering continuous summer color. Consider using this variety in informal settings like cottage gardens where its mounding form softens hard edges.

For more formal structures, incorporate the violet-blue blooms into mixed borders, placing them in the middle to front third of the bed where their height (up to 2 feet) doesn’t overwhelm smaller perennials. They also thrive in rock gardens, provided drainage is excellent, and are suitable additions to containers, paired perhaps with trailing annuals.

This resilient perennial blends beautifully with plants requiring similar cultural conditions—medium water and loose soil. Companions like ornamental grasses, silver-foliage plants, or other late-spring bloomers create excellent visual contrast against the distinctive foliage of the Geranium ‘Gernic’ SUMMER SKIES.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

The genus Geranium encompasses approximately 300 species, offering many excellent garden hybrids known for their adaptability. The genus name originates from the Greek word geranos (crane), referring to the shape of its fruit resembling a crane’s head and beak. Geranium ‘Gernic’ SUMMER SKIES is particularly valued for its soft, violet-blue double flowers, reaching about 1.25 inches in diameter, featuring fine darker veining. This mounding perennial provides a significant visual contribution with its distinct foliage and reliable summer flowering.

Tolerances

• Rabbit
• Deer

Potential Problems

This Hardy geranium variety is generally robust and resists most serious pest and disease issues, contributing to its low maintenance rating. However, gardeners should remain aware of low-level susceptibility to fungal issues such as leaf spots and rusts, especially in consistently damp, overcrowded conditions. Prevention involves ensuring excellent air circulation around the plants and avoiding overhead watering late in the day, which can keep foliage wet overnight. Promptly removing any spotted or diseased leaves will help manage outbreaks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Geranium ‘Gernic’ SUMMER SKIES suitable for?

This beautiful Hardy geranium is best suited for garden areas classified under USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 8.

How large does Geranium ‘Gernic’ SUMMER SKIES grow?

This specific cultivar typically achieves a mature size ranging between 1.5 to 2 feet in height and spreads to a similar width of 1.5 to 2 feet, forming a tidy clump.

When does Hardy geranium (Geranium ‘Gernic’ SUMMER SKIES) bloom?

You can expect the primary bloom period for Geranium ‘Gernic’ SUMMER SKIES to occur from June through July, showcasing its signature violet-blue, double flowers.

What sun exposure does Geranium ‘Gernic’ SUMMER SKIES need?

This perennial performs best in conditions ranging from full sun to partial shade, though it appreciates a bit of afternoon shade if grown in the hotter reaches of its hardiness range.

Conclusion

The Geranium ‘Gernic’ SUMMER SKIES offers gardeners a superb combination of beauty and resilience, highlighted by its unique double blue blooms and low upkeep. As a reliable Hardy geranium, it provides fantastic mid-summer texture and color while resisting common garden pests. Before integrating this plant into your landscape, confirm that your growing zone falls between 5 and 8 and prepare well-drained, organically rich soil for optimal performance.

Companion Planting

Selecting neighbors that share the cultural needs of Geranium ‘Gernic’ SUMMER SKIES—medium moisture and sun/part-shade tolerance—ensures a harmonious planting scheme. Consider pairing it with plants that offer a different textural profile. Foliage plants like Lamb’s Ears (Stachys byzantina) provide soft, silvery relief that complements the gray-green leaves.

For color coordination, utilize white or pale yellow flowers to make the violet-blue blooms pop, perhaps using Shasta Daisies or shorter Salvia varieties. Planting the Geranium ‘Gernic’ SUMMER SKIES near the front of a mixed border allows the structure of its mound to be appreciated before taller August-blooming perennials take over.

If you are using this plant as a ground cover, avoid overly aggressive spreaders that might choke out the perennial over time. Focus on low-growing Thyme varieties or creeping Campanulas which offer subtle texture without competing for light or root space.

Designing with Foliage

While the double flowers of Geranium ‘Gernic’ SUMMER SKIES are the initial draw, smart gardeners utilize its foliage throughout the season. The deeply cut, somewhat grayish-green leaves provide a subtle, cooling contrast in bright summer borders. This characteristic makes it an excellent “filler” plant that bridges the gaps between bolder spring bulbs and the heavier texture of late summer bloomers like Coneflowers or Asters.

Consider planting masses near pathways where the foliage can soften hard paving edges. In shaded areas, the lighter green tones help brighten dark corners, working well alongside Hosta varieties that have lighter variegation or chartreuse centers. The mop-head texture of the foliage acts as a visual anchor throughout the entire growing season.

The mounding habit of this Hardy geranium is naturally neat, meaning it rarely flops or requires staking, unlike some other bloomers. This reliability in form means you can integrate Geranium ‘Gernic’ SUMMER SKIES into formal designs where consistent structure is essential, provided the drainage remains excellent.