Summer wouldn’t be the same without the vibrant display of pelargoniums, also known as geraniums. Their effortless charm and consistent blooming habit make them a favorite among gardeners of all levels. These versatile flowers thrive in raised beds, containers, and hanging baskets alike, bringing three-seasons’ worth of color to any spot they occupy. By growing multiple colors, you can enjoy the transition from spring’s subtle hues to summer’s bold blooms, and finally, autumn’s soft pastels.
The Different Types of Geraniums
Geraniums, a type of perennial, thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11, but their annual counterparts can still flourish in zones 2 and up. This sprawling family of plants, Pelargonium, boasts an impressive 280 species. One of the most popular types is the common geranium, also known as Hortorum. These hybrids showcase dark green leaves and vibrant flowers in shades of white, pink, salmon, and red.
The blooms typically appear in a single head or cluster, depending on the species and cultivar, with either single or double petals. Many gardeners grow geraniums in containers to add texture and color to patios, doorways, and porches.
Ivy-leafed geraniums (P. peltatum) are well-suited for hanging baskets due to their trailing stems. Despite having smaller petals than common geraniums, they make up for it with an abundance of flowers in purple and red hues.
This species earns its name from its ivy-shaped leaves and tendency to grow as a trailing plant if left unpruned. It can also thrive in window boxes, where it grows happily.
Scented geraniums (spp.) are prized for their intensely fragrant leaves, which come in aromas of cinnamon, lemon, strawberry, orange, or ginger. Although they produce small flowers, it’s the scented leaves that truly set them apart.
Zonal geraniums (P.
zonale) stand out with their striped ‘zones’ of purple, blue, or red running down the center of their leaves.
Martha Washington geraniums, also known as regal or Lady Washington, are often sold in pots during the winter months because they begin blooming late winter or early spring. Unlike other varieties, these plants prefer colder climates and can thrive up to Zone 10, although they may not last as long in warmer zones.
It’s challenging to successfully grow Martha Washington geraniums outdoors, so it’s best to cultivate them indoors to bring some color and interest to your interior spaces.
Best Cultivars and Hybrids
For garden enthusiasts looking to cultivate their perfect geranium, understanding the unique characteristics of each type can be overwhelming. To simplify your decision-making process, we’ll provide a comprehensive overview of the most popular varieties: ivy-leaved, scented, and zonal geraniums. This section aims to highlight the distinct features of each group, helping you narrow down your choices and find the ideal geranium for your garden.
Ivy-Leaved
When it comes to cultivating geraniums in hanging baskets or containers, you’ll want to consider a few key varieties. For starters, ‘Red Mini Cascade’ boasts an impressive display of bright strawberry red blooms that are sure to add a pop of color to your outdoor space. If orange-red flowers with sunny yellow eyes are more your thing, then ‘Fire Dragon’ is definitely worth considering.
Alternatively, ‘Sugar Baby’ offers rosy pink, double blossoms that are simply stunning, while ‘Double Lilac White’ boasts long trailing branches of white flowers that are perfect for adding a touch of elegance to your decor.
Zonal
If you’re looking for a timeless choice, consider Tango, a collection of bold and lively plants showcasing a range of vibrant colors. The ‘Crimson Fire’ variety boasts striking pink edges framing a rich, dark red center, while ‘Summer Twist’ offers an intriguing combination of red and white hues in its multi-colored petals. Meanwhile, ‘Gemini’ features a unique color scheme with a fiery red exterior giving way to a crisp white interior.
And for a truly show-stopping option, opt for the ‘Orange Richard’, which presents breathtaking double blossoms in a brilliant, fiery orange.
Scented Geraniums
When it comes to geraniums, their fragrance is just as impressive as their appearance. Some of the most notable varieties for their distinctive scents include Old Fashion Rose (P. graveolens), which emits a familiar rose-like aroma reminiscent of traditional perfumes. Peppermint (P. tomentosum) takes things in a different direction with its strong, refreshing scent and medium green leaves that complement its fragrance perfectly. Meanwhile, Apple (P.
odoratissimum) offers a sour apple aroma that’s sure to tantalize the senses.
Starting Geraniums
Geraniums can be cultivated through three primary methods: indoor potted plants, perennials, and annuals. Additionally, it’s possible to initiate growth indoors and then transfer the plant outdoors. Consider potting the geranium if you live in an area with unpredictable weather patterns, allowing for easy relocation as conditions change. Geraniums can be propagated using either cuttings or seeds. The seed-growing method typically takes around 16 weeks from planting until blooming commences.
If you’re starting seeds indoors, begin the process approximately eight weeks prior to your region’s last frost date. To initiate this process, fill a seed tray with loose soil and sow the seeds evenly. To maintain humidity, cover the tray with a plastic sheet. Place the tray in an area with at least six hours of light and a temperature of 72°F. Regularly remove the plastic cover to prevent excess moisture buildup.
Once leaves begin to sprout, transplant the seeds into a larger container or raised bed.
Harvesting Seeds
For those looking to take their geranium-growing experience to the next level, consider attempting to cultivate new plants from seed. You can either purchase seeds or harvest your own, which can be done by forgoing deadheading and cutting off the developing seedheads just before they fully mature. Place these in a paper bag and wait patiently as the pods naturally open. An alternative approach is to enclose the seedheads with a mesh bag until they burst forth, releasing their contents.
Once this process has been completed, collect the resulting seeds and store them in a cool, dry environment.
It’s essential to note that geraniums grown from harvested seeds may not retain the exact same characteristics as the parent plant, meaning you can expect some variation in appearance or growth habits.
Caring Tips for Geraniums
For geraniums to thrive, they require a specific set of conditions. Firstly, they need plenty of sunlight to bloom. A location with full sun in the morning and partial shade in the afternoon or all-day full sun is ideal, depending on the species. While most species require full sun to bloom, some can tolerate a little light shade during hot summer afternoons to prevent scorched petals. If you don’t provide suitable soil, your geraniums may not reach their full blooming potential.
They prefer rich, loose, and well-draining earth to grow healthily. Temperature extremes can cause flowers to stop blooming temporarily; if this happens, simply move the container to a shaded area. Be mindful of root rot by monitoring watering schedules – water only when the top inch of soil feels dry. Geraniums can survive short periods without moisture, but it’s better to err on the side of caution and keep the soil slightly dry rather than wet.
To promote healthy growth, feed your geraniums with a light fertilizer once blooms appear and again mid-summer using a 20-20-20 formula that can be applied to the soil or leaves as a foliar fertilizer. Regular deadheading will encourage new blooms to form, while pruning stems when leaves turn brown or grow leggy will keep your plant looking its best. Garden scissors are all you need for these simple pruning tasks, as geranium stems are herbaceous and easy to trim.
Container Growing
When cultivating geraniums, flexibility is key. Planting them in containers or pots offers the advantage of relocating them when the sun becomes overwhelming. To ensure optimal growth, select a pot with sufficient drainage holes to prevent waterlogged soil. This feature allows excess moisture to escape, reducing the risk of root rot and other issues.
For urban dwellers, consider growing geraniums on a balcony or windowsill – just be mindful of watering schedules, as containers tend to dry out more rapidly than in-ground plantings. Any well-draining potting mix will suffice for this purpose. Additionally, repotting your geranium when it reaches maturity can provide an opportunity to upgrade its root space by transferring it to a container one size larger.
Measure the new vessel carefully to ensure a comfortable fit that prevents the soil from becoming too compact.
Overwintering
When the temperature dips below 55°F, bring your geraniums indoors and find a sunny window to showcase them. Prune away any flowers that have bloomed, keeping the plant looking neat and tidy.
Alternatively, you can prepare your geraniums for dormancy by removing them from their soil and trimming off all the leaves. Next, prune the stems back to one-quarter of their original length. Wrap the roots in newspaper and place the entire bundle in a paper bag.
To keep everything alive, give the newspaper a good spray with water every four to six weeks.
A third option is to hang your geraniums upside down after pruning them back. Simply submerge the roots in water every few weeks to keep them hydrated. Once the weather starts to warm up and temperatures regularly rise above 55°F, you can bring your geraniums back outside where they’ll thrive once more.
What Pests and Diseases Affect Geraniums?
Geraniums often fall prey to a trio of pesky insects: mealybugs, spotted mites, and cabbage loopers. These unwanted visitors can significantly impact the health and appearance of these popular ornamental plants.
Mealybugs
A common issue that geraniums may face is a mealybug infestation, which can have devastating effects on the plant’s health. Mealybugs feed on the sap of the leaves, causing stunting and other issues. One of the telltale signs of an infestation is the presence of a clear, sticky substance on the plant. Adult mealybugs are approximately one-quarter inch in length.
To prevent the eggs from hatching and limiting the risk of adult mealybugs causing problems, rubbing alcohol can be used to treat the affected areas. For larger groups of mealybugs, insecticides can be applied over a period of seven days. It’s recommended to spray 2-3 times daily and monitor the plant for improvements.
Spotted Mites
The two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) is a prevalent pest that can be found on geraniums during warm and dry weather conditions. The presence of this mite is often characterized by the development of spots and discoloration on the leaves, accompanied by stunted growth. To effectively manage these pests, it’s essential to thoroughly inspect the underside of the leaves and treat them with a miticide as needed.
Cabbage Loopers
Cabbage loopers, scientifically known as Trichoplusia ni, are unmistakable in their caterpillar-like appearance and leave behind characteristic holes in the foliage. When dealing with small populations of these pests, a simple yet effective method is to manually remove them by hand, relocating them away from your plant. Alternatively, you can opt for an insecticide-based solution.
However, it’s crucial to maintain a diligent routine of inspecting your plants daily to detect any infestations at their earliest stages. For further guidance and advice on managing these pests, we recommend consulting our comprehensive guide.
Botrytis Blight
Botrytis blight, also known as gray mold, is a significant concern for aging geraniums that are nearing the end of their lifespan. To prevent this fungal infection from gaining a foothold and spreading, it’s crucial to remove old flower heads on a regular basis. This helps to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
Moisture plays a critical role in the proliferation of fungal pathogens, so it’s essential to exercise caution when watering, ensuring plants receive adequate airflow by pruning and spacing them out, and targeting water directly at the soil level rather than the leaves. By taking these simple precautions, you can significantly minimize the impact of Botrytis blight on your geraniums. For more comprehensive guidance on controlling this common disease, be sure to consult our informative resource.
Leaf Spot
Initially, leaf spot, caused by Alternaria species, manifests as small, scattered lesions on the plant’s foliage. Unless addressed promptly, these tiny blemishes can rapidly expand and ultimately result in leaf decay. To gain valuable insights into diagnosing and managing this prevalent affliction, refer to our comprehensive guide for expert advice.
Using Geraniums
While many people are familiar with the ornamental value of geraniums, few realize that these vibrant flowers are also edible. The leaves and blooms can be used to add a pop of flavor and fragrance to various dishes. Scented geraniums, in particular, offer a range of enticing aromas and tastes. By exploring the diverse scents and flavors, home cooks can unlock a world of culinary possibilities and create unique recipes that showcase this versatile ingredient.
