named for George Washington’s wife, Martha, who served as US president.
A Martha Washington geranium: what is it?
A Martha Washington geranium: what is it? These lovely, trailing plants, often known as regal geraniums, have ruffled, bright green leaves. Bright pink, burgundy, lavender, and bicolors are just a few of the many red and purple hues that may be found in blooms. Growing Martha Washington geraniums is simple, but the plants need a little more attention and have different requirements than regular geraniums. For instance, Martha Washington regal geraniums require nocturnal temperatures of 50 to 60 degrees F in order to bloom (10-16 C.). Learn how to grow this type of geranium by reading on.
Are Martha Washington geraniums perennial?
The majority of geraniums used in florist arrangements are Martha Washington geraniums (Pelargonium x domesticum), which are stunning but difficult to grow plants with bright green, serrated leaves and impressive blooms in shades of pink, purple, red, white, or yellow, frequently with contrasting markings in the center of the flower. When the blooming ceases, Martha Washington geraniums are typically discarded, but given the appropriate conditions, they can last up to three years. Plant hardiness zones 9 through 10 of the United States Department of Agriculture allow for the perennial growth of Martha Washington geraniums.
Why is geranium thus named?
Quick! What kind of plant is it in the picture up top? Nine out of ten gardeners, I’ll wager, said “geranium,” but they’re sort of, sort of mistaken. It’s a pelargonium, specifically a zonal pelargonium (Pelargoniumhortorum). But for a very long time, we’ve been referring to it incorrectly.
There has been uncertainty for more than 250 years. The new-fangled semi-succulents with attractive flowers and odoriferous leaves that had recently arrived from South Africa were thought to be very close relatives of the more well-known geraniums (Geranium spp.) by Linnaeus, who was busy classifying the plants of the world according to his new system of binomial botanical names. He therefore grouped them into the same genus and gave them the name Geranium. Pelargonium was the name given to South African plants by other taxonomists, but Linnaeus either was not aware of this or chose to disregard it.
It was 35 years until the mistake was fixed. In 1789, Charles L’Hritier formally divided them into two distinct genera, reclassifying the plants from the Southern Hemisphere as Pelargonium and the ones from the Northern Hemisphere as Geranium. And throughout the ages, that division has remained true.
So, rather than calling your common “zonal geranium” a pelargonium (Pelargoniumhortorum), you should call it a zonal pelargonium. The same holds true for all other South African imports, which you may have been calling ivy geraniums, scented geraniums, or regal geraniums but which legally belong under the names ivy pelargoniums (P. peltatum), scented pelargoniums (P. graveolens, among others), and regal pelargoniums (P.domesticum).
That wasn’t a problem when gardeners grew primarily pelargoniums (the frost-tender South African types). If you said “geranium,” everyone would understand you. However, true geraniums (Geranium spp.) have gained a lot of popularity in temperate region gardens during the past 50 years or more. Who doesn’t grow Geranium Rozanne or G. ‘Johnson’s Blue, after all? We adopted the term “hardy geraniums” to distinguish them from the tender (half-hardy) pelargoniums, few of which can survive the winter in temperate areas.
Of fact, there is a tight relationship between the Pelargonium and Geranium plant genera. Both species are members of the Geraniaceae plant family and share a long, narrow, beak-shaped seed capsule, which pops out when ripe and scatters the seeds widely. In actuality, this phenomena is referred to by both botanical names.
The names Pelargonium and Geranium come from the Greek words for stork and crane, respectively, since the seed capsules are said to resemble those of storks and cranes, respectively. Sincerely, if you removed the rest of the bird, only a knowledgeable ornithologist would be able to distinguish between a crane’s beak and a stork’s beak. As a result, the seed capsules are nearly identical.
But aside than that, they are pretty dissimilar. Without a doubt, you cannot cultivate them in the same manner or breed them together.
It’s time to stop dragging your feet. Why not simply refer to geraniums as geraniums and pelargoniums as pelargoniums?
This ought to be simple. It’s not like I’m shocking you with something fresh; the names were altered more than 250 years ago!
Additionally, even if they don’t always use it, most gardeners are already aware of the distinction and are familiar with the term “pelargonium.” For instance, if I use the phrase “zonal pelargonium” in a lecture, no one looks perplexed since they all immediately understand it.
Additionally, the fact that additional kinds of both genera are currently being developed made this adjustment even more imperative.
I’m usually initially perplexed when someone tells me about a new “geranium they are developing, and I’m sure you are too. Which plant—a geranium (hardy) or a pelargonium (tender)—are they referring to? A perennial garden plant (geranium) or one brought inside during the winter (pelargonium)? A state of bewilderment is never desirable.
Here is a succinct overview for those who aren’t fully clear on the distinction:
- tender plants, especially from South Africa, not cold-resistant;
- cultivated as annuals or wintered inside;
- Most have resilient stems that last from year to year and are frequently upright;
- Although many current pelargoniums have been bred to lack this trait, all pelargoniums used to have asymmetric flowers with two upper petals that were fairly distinct from the three bottom petals. Today’s typical zonal pelargonium (Pelargoniumhortorum), for instance, has symmetrical flowers with five similar petals.
(Geranium spp.) geraniums
- Generally native to the Northern Hemisphere and cold hardy (with a few notable exceptions);
- year-round outdoor cultivation, hardly ever indoors;
- horticultural perennials (they usually die to the ground or to creeping rhizomes in the winter, then sprout again in the spring).
- Always have five symmetrical petals that are roughly the same size and shape.
So there you have it. Let’s all say geranium when we mean geranium and pelargonium when we mean pelargonium. You may say po-TAE-to and I may say po-TAH-to.
Is it necessary to deadhead Martha Washington geraniums?
The care of Martha Washington geraniums differs slightly from that of other geraniums. Because they thrive in healthy, well-draining soil, these geraniums need to be checked frequently and kept fairly moist. Make sure they don’t remain wet or sit on drip trays with standing water, though.
Weekly applications of a water-soluble fertilizer with a higher phosphorus content should be given to Martha Washington geraniums. The middle number in the fertilizer number sequence is phosphorus. Such combinations include 15-30-15. Avoid even numbers, such as 20-20-20, which has a little more nitrogen (the first number) and will encourage more green foliage growth than blooming.
Getting rid of Martha Washington Geraniums can be kept actively blooming by pruning old flower heads or geraniums. Pinching or pruning the plants could prevent them from blossoming.
Do Martha Washington geraniums survive the winter?
Burpee’s 2014 geranium release, “Angel’s Perfume,” has a pleasant, zesty lemon aroma to it. Backing the crimson flowers are wavy, cool-green foliage. What’s more, this geranium can tolerate both shade and direct sunlight. The plants’ height and width increase by 12 to 14 inches.
Thanks to their hardy nature, wintering geraniums are not difficult to master. You can get a head start on the garden season the following spring and save some money by keeping these plants dormant or treating them like houseplants. Find out how to care for geraniums over the winter.
For overwintering, pick geraniums from the Pelargonium genus. In addition to ivy, scented, or seed geraniums, this also applies to zonal or cutting geraniums. Although they belong to this category, Regal or Martha Washington geraniums typically don’t overwinter well. When the flowering season on these popular cool-season plants comes to an end, treat them as real annuals and compost them.
Martha Washington geraniums require how much sunlight?
The Martha Washington geranium needs lots of exposure to the sun. But you should stay out of the sun.
The primary requirement is to make sure the regal geranium gets at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. The foliage will begin to droop and wilt if they don’t receive enough light.
Maintain temperatures between low and medium 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer and 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter.
Watering and Feeding
You might only need to water the plant once every one or two weeks when it becomes dormant in the winter.
If you want to grow enormous blooms and foliage during the summer, liquid fertilizer is advised twice a month.
Do geraniums enjoy being in a crowd?
Annual geraniums are simple to grow. To grow your best geraniums ever, follow these simple instructions.
- Planting: The majority of geraniums love the sun. A complete day is ideal, with the exception of the warmest regions, when plants benefit from shade during the hottest hours. In all climates, Martha Washington and ivy geraniums require some mild shade, particularly as summer temperatures increase.
- Soil: The best growth results from fertile, well-drained soil. Choose a commercial bagged mix designed for use in containers if you want to grow geraniums in pots. To increase soil fertility and drainage in planting beds, incorporate organic matter into the soil, such as compost, rotten manure, bark fines, or other locally accessible materials. You’ll receive many blooms in return from your geraniums.
- Annual geraniums consume a lot of fertilizer. When planting, incorporate a slow-release fertilizer into the soil in planting beds and pots. Apply a second coat in accordance with the directions on the label. Starting four weeks after planting, many gardeners feed geraniums with a liquid fertilizer every 14 to 20 days.
- Pests: Geranium leaves and flowers can be attacked by aphids, slugs, and caterpillars, but damage is typically minimal. By handpicking or spraying insecticidal soap or Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki, a natural caterpillar control, these pests are easily managed. In the late summer, whiteflies may damage foliage. They can be found, if any, on the undersides of leaves. Unless you intend to overwinter geraniums, there is no need to cure whiteflies. You run the risk of infecting all of your plants if you bring a geranium with whiteflies indoors. Budworm, a moth larva (caterpillar) that burrows into flower buds and chows down on petals, is the worst problem for geraniums. When blossoms open, the petals are torn or have holes in them. Flowers frequently decay before opening. Due of sprays’ inability to enter flower buds, budworms are difficult to eradicate. Do not overwinter geraniums in pots that had budworms. As soil is where budworms hibernate, if you must conserve them, remove it.
- Geraniums are susceptible to fungal infections, which easily begin on wasted blooms. Regularly remove dead flowers by cutting the stems at the base. Put them in the compost pile rather than throwing them on the ground next to the plants. Any flowers that exhibit mold, whether or not they are fully open, should be removed if wet weather soaks flowers and you observe fuzzy fungus beginning to grow on petals. This prevents fungus from taking control of the plant. Give geraniums plenty of air circulation to help stop disease outbreaks. Keep potted plants in areas with sufficient air circulation and avoid overcrowding plant beds.
- Geraniums can be preserved over the winter by putting indoor potted plants close to a sunny east or south-facing window. or you can root stem cuttings. Dig out plants from pots or beds and shake soil away from roots to overwinter geraniums in a dormant state. Plants should be stored in a paper bag, box, or bucket and kept in a cool, dark area like a fruit cellar, basement, or unheated bedroom. Allow plants to thoroughly dry. Water once in the middle of winter by submerging the rootball. Before placing plants back into their winter quarters, let it drip dry. After all threat of frost has passed in the spring, move geraniums outside. Trim any stems that aren’t growing once new growth appears.
What does the word “geranium” mean?
The geranium flower represents friendship, happiness, and good health. With the exception of the Victorian image of idiocy or foolishness, they are connected to pleasant feelings. This ancient symbolism has essentially been forgotten because people now view this cheerful flower as a sign of joyous thoughts and feelings.
Common Geranium Flower Colors and their Meaning & Symbolism
The color of a geranium bloom can also have an impact on its significance. There is a vast variety to pick from when trying to send a message, with blooms ranging from white and pastel pinks to vivid colours of orange and red and even exquisite shades of blue and purple.
In addition to the conventional meanings of flower colors, some colored geraniums have unique meanings of their own.
- Red geraniums: These plants are regarded as protecting. A red geranium near the front door is said to alert you to outsiders’ approaches in Wiccan lore.
- White geraniums: It was believed that white geraniums had snake-repelling properties. They served as a fertility symbol as well.
- Pink geraniums: These flowers were treasured as a component of love spells.
Otherwise, while selecting geraniums as a present, think about the significance of the flower’s hue.
- Yellow: Flowers in this color convey a message of happiness and lightheartedness. They represent happiness and camaraderie.
Where do geraniums come from?
Although geraniums are a beloved garden plant, how much do you truly know about them?
These plants, which are pelargoniums in name only, bloom lavishly all through the summer and into the fall, whether they are grown on a balcony, in a window box, a hanging basket, a container, or as part of a conventional garden bedding arrangement.
These summer beauties are popular, especially for novices, because they are little maintenance and have stunning green leaves and fantastic, brilliant flowers that are overflowing with color. There are more than 250 kinds, including zonal geraniums, the mainstay of summer bedding, trailing geraniums (ivy-leaved varieties), ideal for hanging baskets, and stunning regal geraniums, which are prized for their spectacular, ruffled petals.
Geraniums are a robust, reliable plant that may be enjoyed for three full seasons each year. An estimated 40 million geraniums are planted in UK gardens each year.
According to Claudia De Yong, a landscape and garden consultant, “Geraniums provide such excellent value in outdoor pots and window boxes, but also in the borders.” They provide a burst of color all throughout the summer, their lush foliage adds dimension to the landscape, and they never quit, even inclement weather doesn’t stop them. Geraniums are excellent underplanting plants for rose or even grape vine bare stems. They complement Lobelia and Alyssum very well.
Zonal pelargoniums
Zonal geraniums grow into erect, bushy plants that are renowned for their resistance to slugs. They are hardy, dependable, and drought-resistant. Zonal geraniums are a fantastic option for planting together in bedding schemes and for making pots that’ll be a riot of color all season because they come in single, semi-double, and double-flowered kinds.
Ivy-leaved pelargoniums
These lovely cascading ivy-leaved geraniums give baskets and pots endurance by blooming later in the season and far beyond other summer bedding favorites. The term “ivy-leaved” refers to the form of their fleshy leaves, which mimic the foliage of this traditional climber.
Regal pelargoniums
Regal geraniums can bloom earlier than zonal kinds, and they will continue to put on a show all season long. Regals are ostentatious, statuesque plants distinguished by their ruffled blossoms. Although the majority of these plants only have one flower, there are several bicolor varieties.
Scented-leaf pelargoniums
Geraniums with scented leaves come in a variety of scents, including citrus, lemon, and rose. The blooms of scented variants can be smaller than those of other varieties, but they have potent fragrances (which are at their strongest in direct sunshine) and a variety of foliage patterns, from lobed to variegated.
Angel pelargoniums
A scaled-down variety of regal varieties is the angel geranium. They are ideal for small settings, like as hanging baskets and other compact containers, because they are compact, bushy, and cheery. The darker lines on the upper petals of the flowers are reminiscent of the well-known pansy and viola’s distinctive blossoms. Angels are perennial favorites since they bloom copiously (deadhead frequently to keep blossoms flowing).
More than 250 wild species of the geranium plant still exist in South Africa, the plant’s native country. The 17th century saw the introduction of the first geraniums to Europe.