Ever ponder how geraniums and pelargoniums differ from one another? What a hardy geranium actually is has been a source of much confusion for many years. It’s common to refer to the annual ‘geranium’ (pelargonium) as a geranium. But their differences are glaring.
Where did the misunderstanding begin? Pelargoniums were initially mistaken for geraniums when they were imported from South Africa. Gardeners mistakenly misclassified them as a result, and it wasn’t until the 1700s that it was corrected. Unfortunately, it took a long time for the reclassification to gain widespread acceptance.
Pelargoniums and geraniums are related since they both belong to the Geraniaceae family. The development, appearance, and seed dissemination strategies of the two, however, differ significantly from one another.
Are geraniums and pelargoniums the same thing?
HOW DO THEY DIFFER? Pelargonium and geranium flowers are not interchangeable. Pelargonium blooms feature two upper petals that are distinct from the three lower petals while geranium flowers have five petals that are similar.
Most naturally occurring true geraniums, also known as cranesbill geraniums or hardy geraniums, are located in the east Mediterranean and other temperate zones, including New Zealand. The Geranium genus contains about 422 species, many of which are annual, biennial, and perennial flowers. Currently, eight of our native geranium species have received official identification; the total number may reach 20. The most well-known is Geranium traversii from the Chatham Islands, while the most recent to be named is Geranium aff. retrorsum ‘Oakley Creek,’ which botanist Rhys Gardner found in Auckland while conducting research in the Oakley Creek neighborhood before the Waterview Tunnel was built.
Succulents, sub-shrubs, shrubs, and perennials all belong to the genus Pelargonium. There are about 280 species total. In the southern parts of Africa, especially in South Africa and Namibia, they are primarily found growing naturally in a variety of settings from mountains to deserts. In addition, the Middle East, Turkey, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as the northern and eastern regions of the African continent, are covered by the Pelargonium genus.
Kpata (Pelargonium inodorum), a little-known native species that is also from eastern Australia, features tiny pink blooms and vivid green foliage. The majority of pelargonium plants grown in Europe and the US are South African in origin. These are frequently grown as annuals in cooler locations because they are typically not frost tolerant.
PASSION FOR PELARGONIUM Pelargonium triste was the first pelargonium to be found in Europe. Around 1600, it appeared in the Netherlands at the Leiden Botanical Gardens, from whence cuttings were shortly sent to France and England.
By the middle of the 18th century, interest in the species had grown quickly as Dutch and British plant collectors brought back seeds and plants from southern Africa to cultivate in their respective nations’ nurseries.
However, as the political climate in Africa evolved and plant collecting became more challenging, interest shifted to hybridization in Europe. Gardeners in the Victorian era were passionate about pelargoniums, and many cultivars were created in England, Europe, Australia, and the US, especially California, which had the perfect climate for growing (several species have naturalised on the coast there). Even though pelargonium and geranium organisations around the world are working to reproduce them, many of the early hybrid varieties are already extinct.
By the end of the 19th century, pelargoniums had become victims of their own success, with notable individuals like William Morris and Oscar Wilde mocking the red geranium, which at the time was widely employed as a bedding plant in borders, window boxes, and pots. However, despite being perceived as suburban and affluent, the flowers persisted, claims Kasia Boddy, author of Geranium (2013). They are now once again among the most well-liked plants in the world, especially in the US and Europe where they are highly appreciated as bedding and container plants.
PARALLEL GROUPS The number of groups that make up the Pelargonium genus is a subject of debate. The following five are the most widely grown of the seven according to the Royal Horticultural Society.
1. ZONAL The largest and most prevalent group, sometimes referred to as bedding geraniums, can be found in window boxes and pots all over Europe. Although they are more commonly known as Pelargonium x hortorum, a hybrid of Pelargonium zonale and Pelargonium inquinans, the name derives from the parent plant Pelargonium zonale.
The zones or patterns in the center of the leaves that are dark in color serve as a good indicator of zoning. The majority are semi-shrubby plants that often produce double or single red, salmon, violet, white, or pink blooms in compact, spherical clusters. There are, however, a number of more flower varieties, such as cactus, rosebud, and tulip.
Smaller, compact zonal variants are frequently utilized as bedding plants in addition to container plants. Be on the lookout for fresh hues in this category, like the yellow “Allwoods Lemon Drizzle” cultivar.
FANCY-LEAVED 2. Decorative pelargoniums have distinct leaf patterns, which can include black blotches, a sort of white, grey, or yellow variegation, or perhaps both. Both the leaves and the flowers are grown for these plants.
3. IVY LEFT These are descendants of Pelargonium peltatum, and because of their trailing growth pattern, they make great groundcovers and climbers for covering fences and other buildings. Additionally, they are frequently cultivated in window boxes, pots, and hanging baskets.
Ivy-leaved pelargoniums produce single, double, or rosette-shaped flowers. There are currently new cultivars available with gorgeous flower colors, including the dark burgundy blossoms of “PAC Tomcat.”
4. REGAL This second-largest group earned its name from their upbringing in Sandringham Palace in the middle of the 19th century. The plants in Regals, often referred to as Martha Washington pelargoniums in the US, are bigger and more shrub-like than those in Zonal kinds. They typically don’t have any zonal coloration on their spherical, occasionally lobed, or somewhat serrated leaves.
Large and flamboyant, with a far wider variety of colors than those of other groupings, some regal flowerheads on tall stems are even bi- or tri-colored. Petals may have fringe or ruffles.
Even though regals are some of the earliest pelargoniums to bloom in the spring, they don’t fare well in really hot and muggy weather. Modern varieties have more flowers and don’t go straggly as old as older Regal pelargoniums do as they get older.
The number of these elder Regals is declining in specialized nurseries. The majority of cultivars planted now are the product of hybridization over the past 50 years.
Angel pelargoniums, which are mostly descended from Pelargonium crispum, are frequently categorized as a different group, but they are actually quite similar to Regals, albeit more compact and bushy. The flowers look like pansies.
5. FLAVOROUS LEAVES These shrubby evergreen perennials, as their name implies, are mostly cultivated for their fragrant leaf. When the leaves are touched or injured, the aroma is released.
Despite their diminutive size, flowers have a delicate beauty that ranges from dark crimson to pale pink.
Some reach heights of almost a meter, while others only grow to 30 cm. Tip trimming is a simple way to manage height.
Pelargoniums with fragrant leaves are extremely resistant to heat and drought. 140 cultivars with an astonishing diversity of scents have been created through plant breeding over the past 400 years. These include apple, cinnamon, eucalyptus, grapefruit, rose, lime, lemon, nutmeg, peach, ginger, nutmeg, oak, peppermint, strawberry, balsam, apricot, coconut, and nutmeg. Unsurprisingly, many are cultivated for its oil, which is utilized in the perfume business, in commercial settings.
In addition to being used in potpourri, cooking, jams, and even as a cold beverage, leaves can also be utilized medicinally. Many plants are excellent in luring pollinators to the garden.
DETAILED PELARGONIUMS Ivy-leafed geraniums and Zonal varieties were crossed in recent years by plant breeders in the US to develop a new class of pelargoniums. These interspecific pelargoniums, like the Caliente and Calliope series, are said to offer novel forms and colors as well as enhanced performance. They combine the heat tolerance of Zonals with the superior flowering capabilities of Ivy-leaved kinds (up to a third more blooms than Zonals).
Retailers in New Zealand can purchase “Big Red,” one of the Calliope series developed in the US, from Zealandia Horticulture. According to Aaron Blackmore, the company’s national sales coordinator, “We have found this to be a wonderful growing plant that produces masses of stunning, deep red blossoms with the most intense coloration you will find in the market.” The plant itself is vigorous and will grow into a respectable-sized bush that, when fully developed, will yield more high-quality flowers than any conventional kinds we have cultivated.
This year, Hayes Wholesale, based in Invercargill, will introduce another red-flowering interspecific variety called “Cassiopeia.” The company, which Barry Hayes founded 35 years ago, is the largest supplier of pelargoniums in the nation and the New Zealand representative for German ‘PAC’ types.
PROPAGATION Taking cuttings is the greatest way to guarantee that as your pelargoniums grow older, you will always have a steady supply of robust, healthy plants. The majority of gardeners are aware that they are some of the simplest plants to grow from cuttings, but for best results:
- Take cuttings while the plants are actively growing, which in many regions of the country can be all year long.
- Use a sharp knife to cut lengths of 4 to 8 cm. Cut the main stem just above a leaf joint, then remove the majority of the leaves.
- Two thirds potting mix and one third vermiculite or crushed pumice should be used to fill containers.
- Keep them exposed, but don’t allow them to dry out. If placed in a bright, dry area, cuttings should begin to root in a few weeks.
Why are geranium pelargoniums called that?
In reality, the “geranium” does not belong to the Geranium family. An evergreen perennial shrub is referred to as a “geranium” by gardeners and botanists. The fact that specialists refer to the common summer bloomers we all know and love as “pelargoniums” only serves to further confuse matters.
Since the first pelargoniums were introduced to Europe in the 17th century and were mistakenly dubbed geraniums because of their resemblance to the perennial plant, the word geranium has been in use ever since!
Geraniums in a single color can be planted; however, because of the huge range of colors, you can design a really unique look.
For a deeper display, consider the deepest shades of burgundy or purple, or lilac for a vibrant pop of unorthodox color. If white flowers appeal to you, consider a white variety with a pink or crimson accent in the petals. For a traditional appearance, combine with trailing ivy.
Edible scented geranium parts include the leaves and blooms. Because of the essential oils in their leaves, they enhance the flavor and scent of meat dishes, salads, and desserts in addition to adding visual elements.
It is possible to transform an old wooden chair into a unique hanging shelf on which the flowering geranium can shine.
Just separate an old wooden chair into its component parts, cut a hole through the centre of the seat, and fasten the front half to the backrest with screws so that the saw edge points backward. The chair should next be painted or sprayed, hung, and embellished with a potted geranium and other ornamental items.
The regal geranium in particular complements contemporary decor and was first cultivated as a houseplant.
To achieve a tonal effect, choose hues of the same color that range from light to dark. Geraniums come in a variety of colors—imagine the brightest orange fading to the palest tangerine, or the deepest hot pink fading to the palest blush. A sense of depth and visual intrigue are created by using various shades of the same color.
Some geraniums offer medicinal properties in addition to being merely ornamental. The indigenous people of South Africa employed the roots of the Cape region pelargonium to cure respiratory illnesses, and they are now a key component of the herbal treatment “Umckaloabo.” It is also said that the essential oils in some varieties of scented geraniums can reduce stress and despair.
Several scent-leaved geraniums have essential oils in their leaves that can effectively repel insects. These plants exude their fragrance at the least wind or contact. What may smell good to us humans will frighten away bees, wasps, and other insects. Geraniums with citrusy scents, like lemon and orange, work best as insect repellents.
With this creative DIY upcycling idea, you can eat outside beneath a canopy of flowers. Hang potted geraniums that require no maintenance by stringing jute string through old bicycle wheels and fastening it to a pergola or other similar structure.
Geraniums are most commonly associated with the vivid red or white balcony boxers. The geranium, however, comes in a wide range of hues, leaf and flower sizes, shapes, and growth types. In addition to red and white, they also bloom in a broad variety of other colors, including pink, violet, lilac, apricot, orange, and yellow, as well as a variety of bicolor variations.
Geraniums are incredibly low maintenance, simple to care for, and hardy, making them the perfect plant for people who don’t have the time or don’t want to spend a lot of time taking care of their plants. With little time and work, even people without a green thumb may create a lovely flower arrangement.
Why not hang some used bicycle wheels from your fence or wall? a lovely way to show off vibrant flower pots. Simply using wire, the pots are connected to the spokes. Geraniums of various colors that are in bloom create a magnificent floral show.
Geraniums can grow to record-breaking sizes with proper care. Even tales of specimens with purported heights of five meters or circumferences more than ten meters have surfaced. I doubt it for your typical window box, then.
Geraniums can start to bloom as early as May, but you shouldn’t plant these delicate plants outside until the last frost has passed. Similar to how geraniums, despite continuing to bloom far into autumn, are not frost resilient, therefore move plants into a bright, frost-free spot before the temperature lowers at night.
Geraniums in a hanging planter would make a lovely balcony display. All you need are two round wooden poles and connecting parts, two terracotta pots with saucers, glue, rope, and upright or trailing geraniums.
One of the few summer bedding plants that slugs and snails mostly ignore is the pelargonium. Pelargoniums’ bushy foliage may conceal molluscs, but these plant destroyers don’t like their robust stems and thick, meaty leaves.
Place your geraniums in a tall, narrow-footprint plant stand to add height and character to your balcony. This is the best way to show off the stunning cascade of trailing geraniums.
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