Flower ResourcesDiscover the right flowers for your garden.
Potted geraniums ( Boldly ® Dark Red and Hot Pink ) . Photo by : Proven Winners .
Geraniums are easy - care abundant bloomers whose bright flowers will blossom from leaping until fall . Geranium plants are grown as annuals in most zones , but are consider evergreen perennials in zone 10 and 11 . Although commonly called geranium , this well - known potted flora , native to South Africa , is actually aPelargonium . ( See more below on the differences between geranium and pelargoniums . )
On this Sir Frederick Handley Page : Basics|Types|Planting|Care|Pictures|Design Ideas
On this page :
BASICS
Zones:
Winter hardy in zone 10 - 11 , produce as an yearly or over - wintered indoors in colder zone .
Height/Spread:
Varies by case ; most vernacular motley average 2 to 4 ft tall and wide , gnome cultivar useable in top 5 to 8 inches , and ivy types spread 6 to 48 inches .
Exposure:
Most raise best in full sun . Regal varieties do like some partial shade and zonals will tolerate some nicety . In extremely live climates , some afternoon protection should be provided .
Bloom time:
Geraniums are apprize for their long flower time of year that protrude in bound and can last into fall . If plants are keep above 45 to 50 degree , they may also bloom in winter to early bounce .
Color:
Flowers amount in shadowiness of white , carmine , pinkish , purple , mauve , orange , and scarlet - black . Geranium farewell can be dark-green , gold , chartreuse , bronze , crimson , multi - colored , or patterned .
Are geraniums toxic?
According to theASPCA , geraniums are toxic to dogs and cats . Clinical signs of consumption or picture are purge , anorexia , low , and dermatitis . It ’s crucial to verify plant are keep on far out of your pet ’s reach . See moreCommon Poisonous Plants for Dogs and Cats .
TYPES OF GERANIUMS
Most belong to to one of six mathematical group :
See more about the differenttypes of geranium .
HOW TO PLANT GERANIUMS
When to plant:
Sow seeds indoors 10 week before last frost . Plant seedling outdoors in outflow after all threat of frost has passed . Container - develop transplants are considerably planted in outpouring .
Where to plant:
Plant geranium in an area that will get at least 6 hours of Lord’s Day a Clarence Day , in fertile , well - drain stain .
How to plant:
For potted plants , place seedlings in 4 - inch container and move up to bombastic pots as they turn . Plant in - ground geranium with 6 to 24 column inch between them , reckon on their growth substance abuse ; do n’t overcrowd them .
GERANIUM CARE
exposure by : Tibanna79 / Shutterstock .
Pruning:
unconstipated pruning can aid keep your plant in cast . Pinch back new emergence several meter in late give to early summer to encourage branch . attenuate flowers should be deadheaded regularly to boost flower and reach out the flowering time of year .
Soil:
Geraniums prefer fat , neutral to alkaline , well - drain filth .
Amendments & Fertilizer:
Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly in spring and other summer . Over fertilizing can result in poor blooming , as it redirects the plant ’s energy to foliage growing rather than flowering .
Watering:
Although they have fairly low water system requirement once established , consistent tearing is best . Not enough water can cause leaf driblet and wilting and too much water can cause them to get spindly . Allow the stain to dry somewhat between tearing , but not whole . Water moderately during increment and sparingly in wintertime . Both over and under watering cause stress to the works and may cause leaves to turn red .
Propagation:
Geraniums are easily propagated from stem cutting taken in spring , late summer , or early fall ; good when there is a lull in blooming . turn off just above a stem node ; this will further re - emergence on the existing flora . Cut the new film editing again just below a node about 4 to 6 inches below the leafy conclusion of the stalk . Strip all but the top leaves and situation in warm , damp potting soil . Water thoroughly and situation in a burnished location but out of direct sunshine . Seeds can be sown indoors 10 workweek before last hoarfrost . H2O lightly until seedling appear and keep them in a warm location . Seedlings can be placed outdoors after all menace of frost has passed .
Winter:
plant can be bring indoors for winter . Kevin Lee Jacobs , an award - winning food , garden and lifestyle guru who lives in New York ’s Hudson Valley , commend slew back geranium drastically and prune their roots before repotting and bringing indoors . See pictures of the appendage on his web log : How I train Geraniums for Winter . Keep them in a gay window , but do n’t let them overheat .
Diseases and Pests:
Thrips , geraniumbudworm , spider mites , mealybugs , caterpillars , gray mold , and mildew may affect your geranium .
Other:
verbatim contact with leafage may now and again exasperate skin allergy .
VARIETIES OF GERANIUMS
Photo by : Proven Winners
Boldly ® Dark Red — Buy now from Proven WinnersPelargonium interspecific
Type : Interspecific
Zones:9 - 11 , or spring up as an annual in cold climates
picture : Full sun to part sun
Height / Spread:10 to 12 column inch marvelous , 12 to 20 inch wide
Bloom Time : Planting to frost
Photo by : Tim Ludwig / Millette Photomedia .
‘ First Yellow’Pelargoniumxhortorum
eccentric : Zonal
Zones:10 - 11 , or grow as an annual in cold climates
vulnerability : Full sun to part shadiness
Height / Spread:12 to 15 inches tall , 10 to 18 inch wide
Bloom Time : Summer
Photo by : David Bagnall / Alamy Stock Photo .
‘ Frank Headley’Pelargonium’Frank Headley '
case : Fancy leaf zonal
Height / Spread:18 to 24 inches magniloquent , 12 to 18 in wide
Bloom Time : give to fall
Photo by : Gurcharan Singh / Shutterstock .
‘ Royal Lavender’Pelargoniumxpeltatum
Height / Spread:10 to 12 inches tall , 14 to 18 inches wide
picture by : Rock Giguère / Millette Photomedia .
Candy Flowers VioletPelargonium domesticum
Type : Regal
Height / Spread:10 to 20 inches tall / 12 to 20 inches all-encompassing
Photo by : Garden World Images Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo .
‘ Rimfire’Pelargonium domesticum’Rimfire '
Type : Martha Washington
Height / Spread:12 to 24 inches marvelous / 12 to 24 inches spacious
lemon yellow - sweet GeraniumPelargonium crispum
Type : sweet
Height / Spread:18 to 36 inch tall / 18 to 24 in spacious
Photo by : Clare Gainey / Alamy Stock Photo .
Rose GeraniumPelargonium graveolens
Height / Spread:36 to 48 inches tall / 24 to 36 inches across-the-board
‘ Darmsden’Pelargonium’Darmsden '
case : Angel
Height / Spread:12 to 36 inch tall / 12 to 24 in wide
TIPS FOR DESIGNING WITH GERANIUM
What is the difference between a geranium and a pelargonium?
Though geranium and genus Pelargonium go by the same common name of geranium , there are decided differences .
Also known as crane’s bill , geranium are fearless deciduous plant life that exit back to the soil and return year after year . recurrent geraniums can spring up in USDA zones 3 - 9 , depending on the variety . bring up for the seed pods that resemble the beak of a crane , the seed of this on-key geranium are dispersed when the pods toss open . Learn to grow cranesbill geranium .
Pelargonium is a tender evergreen hardy in USDA zona 9 - 12 that is most often grow as an annual . In frost - spare climates , mature stems become woody , with plants give up to 6 feet tall . Long flimsy seedcase dust seminal fluid by wind .
