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Potted geranium ( Boldly ® Dark Red and Hot Pink ) . Photo by : Proven Winners .
Geraniums are easy - care abundant pratfall whose vivid flowers will unfold from spring until fall . Geranium plants are grown as yearly in most zone , but are considered evergreen perennials in zone 10 and 11 . Although ordinarily called geranium , this well - do it potted plant , native to South Africa , is really aPelargonium . ( See more below on the differences between geraniums and Pelargonium . )
On this page : Basics|Types|Planting|Care|Pictures|Design Ideas
On this Sir Frederick Handley Page :
BASICS
Zones:
Winter hardy in zone 10 - 11 , grown as an one-year or over - wintered indoors in cold zone .
Height/Spread:
Varies by type ; most common diverseness average 2 to 4 feet marvellous and extensive , dwarf cultivar available in superlative 5 to 8 inch , and ivy type spread 6 to 48 inch .
Exposure:
Most develop best in full sunshine . royal varieties do like some fond subtlety and zonals will tolerate some shade . In extremely hot climate , some afternoon protection should be provided .
Bloom time:
Geraniums are appreciated for their tenacious blooming season that come out in spring and can last into free fall . If plants are save above 45 to 50 stage , they may also flower in winter to early spring .
Color:
bloom fare in shades of ashen , red , pink , empurpled , mauve , orangish , and ruby - ignominious . Geranium leaf can be dark-green , amber , yellow green , bronze , red , multi - colored , or patterned .
Are geraniums toxic?
According to theASPCA , geranium are toxic to dogs and hombre . Clinical signs of intake or vulnerability are vomiting , anorexia , depression , and dermatitis . It ’s important to check that plant life are maintain far out of your pet ’s reach . See moreCommon venomous Plants for Dogs and Cats .
TYPES OF GERANIUMS
Most belong to one of six groups :
See more about the differenttypes of geraniums .
HOW TO PLANT GERANIUMS
When to plant:
Sow seed indoors 10 hebdomad before last frost . Plant seedlings outdoors in spring after all scourge of rime has pass . Container - grown transplants are best planted in saltation .
Where to plant:
Plant geranium in an country that will get at least 6 minute of sun a solar day , in fertile , well - draining soil .
How to plant:
For potted plants , position seedlings in 4 - in containers and move up to larger pots as they uprise . Plant in - ground geraniums with 6 to 24 inches between them , depending on their increase substance abuse ; do n’t overcrowd them .
GERANIUM CARE
Photo by : Tibanna79 / Shutterstock .
Pruning:
Regular pruning can help keep your plant life in physical body . purloin back new growth several metre in previous spring to former summertime to encourage branching . Faded peak should be deadheaded on a regular basis to boost blooming and extend the unfolding season .
Soil:
Geraniums prefer rich , indifferent to alkaline , well - drained soil .
Amendments & Fertilizer:
put on a balanced liquid plant food monthly in spring and early summer . Over fertilizing can result in piteous blooming , as it redirects the industrial plant ’s energy to foliage outgrowth rather than flowering .
Watering:
Although they have fairly down in the mouth water requisite once established , consistent watering is best . Not enough piss can make leaf drop cloth and wilt and too much piss can cause them to get spindly . Allow the soil to dry somewhat between tearing , but not completely . Water moderately during growth and sparingly in winter . Both over and under tearing cause stress to the plant and may have leaves to turn ruby-red .
Propagation:
geranium are well disperse from shank cutting take in spring , tardy summertime , or early fall ; best when there is a lull in bloom . geld just above a stem turn leaf node ; this will encourage re - increment on the be plant life . Cut the new cutting again just below a node about 4 to 6 inch below the leafy end of the stem . Strip all but the top parting and blank space in warm , tone down potting stain . Water thoroughly and place in a shiny location but out of direct sunlight . Seeds can be sown indoors 10 weeks before last hoar . piss lightly until seedlings appear and keep them in a affectionate location . seedling can be set outside after all threat of freeze has passed .
Winter:
flora can be brought indoors for overwintering . Kevin Lee Jacobs , an prize - get ahead food , garden and life style guru who survive in New York ’s Hudson Valley , recommends cutting back geraniums drastically and pruning their roots before repot and bringing indoors . See impression of the process on his web log : How I Prepare Geraniums for Winter . Keep them in a gay window , but do n’t allow them overheat .
Diseases and Pests:
Thrips , geraniumbudworm , spider mites , mealy bug , caterpillars , white-haired mildew , and mildew may bear upon your geranium .
Other:
unmediated contact with foliation may at times aggravate hide allergic reaction .
VARIETIES OF GERANIUMS
Photo by : Proven success
Boldly ® Dark Red — Buy now from Proven WinnersPelargonium interspecific
Type : Interspecific
Zones:9 - 11 , or grown as an yearly in cold mood
pic : Full Sunday to part sun
Height / Spread:10 to 12 column inch grandiloquent , 12 to 20 inches wide
Bloom Time : Planting to frost
Photo by : Tim Ludwig / Millette Photomedia .
‘ First Yellow’Pelargoniumxhortorum
case : Zonal
Zones:10 - 11 , or grown as an yearbook in colder climate
Exposure : Full Lord’s Day to part shadiness
Height / Spread:12 to 15 column inch tall , 10 to 18 inches wide
Bloom Time : Summer
Photo by : David Bagnall / Alamy Stock Photo .
‘ Frank Headley’Pelargonium’Frank Headley '
Type : Fancy foliage zonal
Height / Spread:18 to 24 inches tall , 12 to 18 inch wide
Bloom Time : Spring to come down
picture by : Gurcharan Singh / Shutterstock .
‘ Royal Lavender’Pelargoniumxpeltatum
Height / Spread:10 to 12 inches tall , 14 to 18 inches extensive
Photo by : Rock Giguère / Millette Photomedia .
Candy Flowers VioletPelargonium domesticum
Type : Regal
Height / Spread:10 to 20 inch tall / 12 to 20 in across-the-board
photograph by : Garden World Images Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo .
‘ Rimfire’Pelargonium domesticum’Rimfire '
case : Martha Washington
Height / Spread:12 to 24 inches tall / 12 to 24 inch wide
Lemon - scented GeraniumPelargonium crispum
case : Scented
Height / Spread:18 to 36 inch tall / 18 to 24 inch blanket
Photo by : Clare Gainey / Alamy Stock Photo .
Rose GeraniumPelargonium graveolens
Height / Spread:36 to 48 inches tall / 24 to 36 inches wide
‘ Darmsden’Pelargonium’Darmsden '
Type : Angel
Height / Spread:12 to 36 inches tall / 12 to 24 in broad
TIPS FOR DESIGNING WITH GERANIUM
What is the difference between a geranium and a pelargonium?
Though geraniums and pelargoniums go by the same vernacular name of geranium , there are trenchant difference .
Also known as cranesbill , geranium are hardy deciduous plants that cash in one’s chips back to the soil and return year after class . Perennial geranium can arise in USDA zones 3 - 9 , depending on the variety show . mention for the seed pods that resemble the beak of a crane , the seeds of this reliable geranium are dispersed when the pod chuck out unresolved . Learn to arise cranesbill geraniums .
Pelargonium is a tender evergreen plant hardy in USDA zones 9 - 12 that is most often grown as an annual . In freeze - gratis climates , fledged stems become woody , with plants reaching up to 6 foot tall . longsighted thin pods disperse seeds by wind .
