There are few things more breath taking than a garden with an abundance of blooming geraniums. Geraniums are preferred by most gardeners for the many color choices as well as their dependability. They are a flowering plant that can be counted on to bloom brightly, year after year, and without much maintenance or care.
The simplicity of growing geraniums lends to their appeal, but the real joy comes from their beautiful, spherical flower clusters. Gardeners wanting to add this fascinating flower to their landscape require only the minimalist amount of know how.
Geranium Plant Profile
- Common Name: Geranium.
- Botanical Gens: Pelargonium x hortorum.
- Blooms: Spring to first frost.
- Hardiness: Zones 9-11; treated as annuals in many other regions.
- Height: 12-24 inches.
- Width: Up to roughly 12 inches.
- Flower Colors: Deep red, red, white, purple, lavender, pink, rose salmon and orange.
- Light Requirements: Partial shade to full sun.
- Medium Needs: Fertile, well draining soil.
- Planting Recommendations: Plant geraniums in spring, just after the last frost or start seeds indoors 14-16 weeks prior to estimated last frost.
History of Geraniums
Most growers are surprised to learn that the plant they know as the common geranium is not a true geranium. It is actually a flowering plant called Pelargonium that was bought to Europe, in the 1600s, from South Africa. Europeans called the plant geranium because of its determinate resemblance to the true geranium. In the early 1700s Americans began cultivating this blooming beauty, and now it is a gardening favorite world wide.
Gardening Geraniums
Gardeners can propagate geraniums by seed or by cuttings. Many growers prefer the seed method because it promises for a more compact, lush green and proliferate flowing plant. Cultivation of geraniums became extremely popular in the 1970's and from these two methods many cultivars were developed, and with differing flowers. The following is a list of these geranium cultivars and plant choices:
- Cactus-flowered- this geranium type hosts single or double dahlia-like blooms with twisted petals. The Firedragon boasts bright red flowers on a lush green, roughly 24 inch plant.
- Double and Semi double- these geraniums have flowers with 6 or more petals, tightly grouped on a protruding stem. Erik Hoskins are a type in this variety and they produce double- white to pale salmon colored flowers with green leaves splashed with brown.
- Fancy leaved- This variety is uniquely different in that the foliage is tri-colored and breath taking in its beauty. The Ben Franklin is a Fancy leaved type that comes in a variety of colors.
- Rosebud- This type generates double flowers with petals in the center that remain closed, giving it the look of a miniature rose. Apple Blossom Rosebud geraniums boast 3 inch flower clusters of a greenish white color.
- Single-flowered- these are the simplest blooms with no more than 5 petals. The Black Magic variety is a real attention getter with its pink, salmon, rose or red blooms shrouded by green edged, brown centered leaves.
- Stellar- This geraniums cultivars claim to fame is its eye catching, star shaped blooms and pointed leaves. The Bird Catcher geranium plays host to delicate, light pink flowers and only grows to about 8 inches in height.
Propagation and Cultivation of Geraniums
Geraniums enjoy full sun, but will tolerate partial shade that is brightly lit. Then, in the dog days of summer, your geranium may prefer a little break from the intense heat derived from the July and August sun intensity. When planted, geraniums should be separated by at least 12 inches of garden space and they thrive with substantial air flow.
To propagate your geraniums simply take cuttings that support at least 3 nodules and place them into pots or flats with a nutrient rich soil. For inside propagation be sure to place the plants in a sunny spot and keep the soil moist.
Geraniums grow best in a soil that is moist, well draining and loamy. Garden geraniums appreciate an every 4 to 6 week application of a water soluble, nutrient balanced plat food. Potted geraniums also need fertilizer; simply follow the directions listed on the store bought product. Once the food and water requirements are addressed, the geranium is a flowering plant that needs very little care.
Geraniums are a flowering beauty that asks for very little in return so it's no wonder it continues to maintain one of the top spots as a gardening favorite.
Source:
Wilson, Ann, Birds and Blooms January 2008, "Geraniums", Pg. 26-28
Valerie Modreski - Ms. Modreski has worked as a writer for over 30 years. Valerie began her career on the editorial staff of the Broward College academic ...
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