Wish your life had a little more carefree beauty? Plant some geraniums, maybe. Geraniums are beautiful and low-maintenance plants that belong in planters, planting beds, and perennial borders.
Geraniums can be divided into two major groups. Zonal, fancy-leaf, ivy, perfumed, and Martha Washington (or regal) varieties of annual geraniums (Pelargonium species), which often only live for a year, are some examples. Perennial geraniums (Geranium species), which bloom continually from spring to summer, combine striking foliage with attractive blooms that emerge intermittently or continuously.
Where to Plant Geraniums
You must be aware of the type of geraniums you have in order to select the ideal planting location. With the exception of the ivy geranium, which thrives in mild shade, most annual geraniums require a location in full sun. On the other hand, depending on the variety, perennial geraniums can grow in either sunlight or shade. In the country’s southern and western regions, both types profit from shielding from the sun during the warmest time of the day.
What Kind of Soil to Use for Geraniums
Geraniums grow best in healthy, well-draining soil, which is ideal for both perennial and annual geraniums. Improve soil drainage and quality when growing geraniums in planting beds by adding 3 inches of Miracle-Gro Garden Soil for Flowers to the top 6 to 8 inches of native soil. When growing geraniums in pots, Miracle-Gro Potting Mix should be used because it is light and fluffy. For the ideal planting medium, combine garden soil and potting soil in equal portions, or fill raised beds with Miracle-Gro Raised Bed Soil.
How to Plant Geraniums
Starting with young plants, such as the premium geraniums from the Miracle-Gro Brilliant Blooms collection*, is ideal (and simplest). Geraniums, both annual and perennial, benefit from warmth, so postpone planting in the spring until all risk of frost has passed. Once the summer heat subsides in the fall, you can also plant perennial geraniums. Try planting perennial geraniums from late fall to early spring in areas with mild winters.
Geraniums range in height from 4 to 48 inches tall and 6 to 36 inches wide, depending on the variety. For information on the recommended spacing for your type of geranium, consult plant tags. Use a pot that is at least 10 inches across for annual geraniums or at least 12 inches across for perennial geraniums when planting geraniums in pots.
Geraniums should be watered thoroughly after planting, giving the root ball and surrounding soil time to absorb the water.
How to Water Geraniums
Check the soil once a week for annual geraniums, and water when the top inch is dry. During their initial growth season, keep newly planted perennial geraniums in continuously moist soil. With the exception of periods of extreme drought, perennial geraniums can typically thrive on rainfall after they are established.
How to Mulch Geraniums
After planting geraniums, cover the area with a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch to help keep the soil moist and to prevent weed growth and sun exposure. Use Scotts bagged mulch, chopped leaves, pine straw, or another material that is easily obtainable in your area.
How to Feed Geraniums
Your plants receive an excellent starting dosage of nutrients when you start with rich, nutrient-rich soil. However, you should also feed them frequently all season long for maximum results. Apply Miracle-Gro Shake ‘n Feed Rose & Bloom Plant Food to your geraniums a month after planting to give them the extra boost of nutrition they require for magnificent blooms. Make sure you adhere to label directions.
How to Grow Perennial Geraniums
Even in the coldest climates, perennial geraniums don’t require particular care to survive the winter. After the initial flower flush, cutting perennial geraniums back by around one-third can encourage more blooms. Cut stems back as necessary if hardy geraniums like “Rozanne” or “Pink Penny” spread out too quickly and widely. These vining geraniums can have up to two-thirds of their length removed, and the plants will still grow back. To encourage new growth and prevent wilted leaves, prune cranesbill geraniums to 2 to 4 inches height after flowering.
How to Use Geraniums
Annual geraniums are excellent at stealing the show in planters and flowerbeds. Regal geraniums can resist cool weather and form lovely hanging basket plants, making them an obvious choice for planting in the early spring. Ivy geraniums are very stunning. Geraniums with aromatic leaves are strong in containers and form a lovely patio display where the leaves may be stroked and enjoyed.
In gardens with some shade, perennial geraniums add much-needed color and can thrive next to mature trees. While mid-size perennial geraniums go well with lanky shrubs, shorter perennial kinds create beautiful ground covers.
Are you prepared to begin cultivating geraniums? To learn more about a product, to buy it online, or to locate a retailer near you, click on any of the product links above.
When do geraniums bloom?
Pelargoniums, also referred to as “geraniums,” are decorative perennial plants that bloom for months on end with a profusion of vibrantly colored flowers. Some plants begin to bloom in the spring, but most do so from early June until the first hard frosts of the fall. They can bloom all year long if they are grown inside.
Because pelargoniums are not cold and frost hardy, they shouldn’t be confused with perennial plants that are cultivated outside all year round, such as cranesbill or the closely related true hardy geranium.
In addition to inside, in conservatories, and in greenhouses, pelargoniums are utilized to create vibrant displays in beds and borders, hanging baskets, and various containers. Pelargoniums have their own national society because of their widespread popularity. Local organizations like The Pelargonium & Geranium Society are also mentioned.
Cultivation
Pelargoniums should be taken indoors into a sheltered habitat in the fall because while they can usually withstand heat, drought, and strong frosts, they cannot. If kept at a temperature of at least 10-13C (50-55F), they can bloom all year.
The great majority of pelargoniums require full sun, or at the absolute least, excellent light.
While zonal pelargoniums may take some light shade, regal pelargoniums prefer light shade.
They require a healthy, moist, yet well-drained soil in order to flower extensively. Use an excellent multipurpose compost or one with extra John Innes for growing in pots.
Pelargonium varieties
Pelargoniums come in six basic types, with additional subtypes for some of them:
- Zonal pelargoniums: These are the bushy, upright ‘bedding’ pelargoniums that are cultivated outdoors in pots or in beds and borders and have enormous, single or double flowers. The term “Zonal” describes the leaf markings, many of which are very elegant and ornamental.
- Pelargoniums with ivy leaves: These are the trailing types, with fleshy leaves and single or double flowers in a variety of colors, used in hanging baskets or as container edges.
- Regal pelargoniums: These grow taller, bushier plants with single, infrequently double, flowers that are typically pink, purple, or white. Typically, they are raised outside in pots or for interior displays.
- Angel pelargoniums are smaller, more compact, and bushier than regal pelargoniums.
- Pelargoniums with scented leaves: As their name suggests, these plants are mostly planted for their intensely fragrant leaves, however they also produce pretty little solitary flowers. The leaves could also be distinctively lobed or toothed, variegated, or both.
- All additional pelargoniums that don’t fit into any other category are considered unique pelargoniums.
Pelargoniums are a specialty of various nurseries. Visit their websites to view the extensive selection, which includes photographs to assist you in deciding which ones to purchase:
Height/Spread:
Depending on the type, they range from 5 to 8 inches in height for dwarf cultivars to 2 to 4 feet tall and wide for ivy varieties.
Exposure:
Most plants thrive in full sun. While zonals can handle moderate shade, regal types do prefer some partial shade. Some afternoon protection should be offered in excessively hot areas.
Bloom time:
Geraniums are prized for having a lengthy blooming period that can extend into the fall and begins in the spring. Plants may also bloom in the winter or the early spring if temperatures are kept above 45 to 50 degrees.
Color:
Flowers appear in a variety of colors, including reddish-black, mauve, orange, pink, purple, and white. The leaves of geraniums can be any color, including green, gold, chartreuse, bronze, red, and many other hues.
Are geraniums toxic?
The ASPCA claims that geraniums are poisonous to both dogs and cats. Vomiting, anorexia, sadness, and dermatitis are clinical indicators of intake or exposure. Plants should be kept out of reach of your pet at all times. view more common plants that are poisonous to dogs and cats.
Hardy Geraniums vs. Pelargoniums
Pelargoniums should not be confused with hardy geraniums. You might be wondering what makes a geranium different from a pelargonium. Similar to some siblings, they are both members of the same plant family, but they could not be more unlike.
Pelargoniums cannot withstand frost, while hardy geraniums can. Pelargoniums are usually treated as annuals and replanted each year, but true hardy geraniums are perennials that grow back every year. Pelargoniums die in the winter.
Prune your Hardy Geraniums
Your sturdy geraniums will look their best and promote new growth if you prune them properly. By correctly pruning your hardy geraniums after the blooming season, you can encourage repeat blooming. The majority of geraniums can be cut back twice in a single season, which allows them to bloom at least three times.
When to Prune
Your hardy geraniums should be pruned in accordance with the season you are in. Rozanne will require various cuts in the spring, summer, and fall. To maintain your blooms rich and healthy, mark your calendar and adhere to our seasonal trimming recommendations.
What tools you need
Your geraniums may be pruned fairly easily. All you’ll need is the ability to prune, a pair of sharp pruners, your favorite mulch, and your favorite gardening gloves. Watch this video to learn more about pruning strategies in detail.
How to prune
You shouldn’t be concerned that pruning your flower’s back will harm her. The majority of hardy geraniums require trimming to promote new growth and prevent them from encroaching upon other plants.
Trim the plant back to within a few inches of the ground or to about an inch above the main stem once the flowering is completed or you find old growth. Remove any brown stems or yellow leaves after that by going inside.
Soon after trimming, more leaves will start to appear. Some resilient geraniums even have the ability to blossom again. Maintaining correct pruning on your plants encourages new development and keeps them from spilling out throughout your landscape.
What pruning advice do you prefer? Share them with us in a comment on our Facebook page!
Are geraniums in bloom all year long?
- Wet shoes are not good for geraniums. Do not place them in excessively wet soils or environments. The best benefits come from letting the soil get completely dry in between waterings.
- Avoid watering from above. Fungal illnesses will become less likely as a result.
- They may tolerate slight frosts in cool temperate regions. After each flowering cycle, lightly trim the plant to promote further blooms.
- When flowering is finished in the fall, harder pruning (one to two thirds of the plant) can be done.
- Cuttings from geraniums can be easily multiplied.
- Due to the intense oil content in the leaves, Ivy Leaf Pelargoniums are well recognized for deterring cats from gardens.
- There are numerous varieties of geraniums and pelargoniums. A few of these are: Common Geranium the market’s most popular variant. Large, green, hairy leaves with gorgeous flower flushes appear from spring to late summer, however they may bloom all year in some regions.
Pelargonium with Ivy Leaf Pelargonium with trailing growth, fragrant, ivy-shaped leaves, and tiny blooms. Excellent for use as a ground cover in hot, dry locations and in containers.
Aromatic Geraniums More so than their blooms, scented geraniums are grown for their leaves. Their leaves have a tiny furrow at the edge, which sets them apart from regular Geranium varieties and gives them a ruffled appearance. To release the oils and make a pleasant perfumed area in the garden, crush the leaves. Rose (P. graveolens), Apple (P. ordoratissimum), Peppermint (P. tomentosum), and even Lemon are among the many diverse smells and variations that can be found (P. citronellum). Some of them are even edible, so read the labels carefully before eating.
Pelargonium Zonal (P. hororum) This cultivar not only features attractive blooms, but also unusually shaped leaves. These set themselves apart from the other kinds by having zones or leaf outlines. These zones produce a distinctive feature plant for the garden or pots and can be simple (just two color forms) or complicated (three or more color forms).
How long do geraniums in pots last?
My geraniums are no longer blooming. I fed them, but it was ineffective. What’s the issue?
You might be feeding them too much. Pelargoniums, a genus of geraniums native to the Mediterranean, flourish in full sunlight and relatively infertile soil. Overfeeding can be the issue if you have a lot of foliage growth and the plants appear healthy. For a while, stop giving them food. But if your plants are becoming older and their stems are getting lanky, it might be time to propagate. Although they can live much longer, geraniums typically only bloom for two years on average before becoming woody and losing their blooming ability. Thankfully, geranium propagation is simple. Simply cut stem tips with at least two pairs of healthy leaves from a four-inch stem. Cut the stem at the lowest point, dunk it in hormone rooting powder, and then plant it in a mixture of half sand and half peat moss. In around three weeks, repot in ordinary soil after providing adequate watering and covering with plastic to assist preserve moisture. Sticking the cutting in water and letting it grow roots before potting is a simpler method.
Can I plant geraniums outside when?
In the summer, give geraniums plenty of water and deadhead to promote a second rush of blooms.
Annual geraniums are frequently grown, and at the conclusion of the summer, they are composted. Keeping them over the winter is worth considering if you have space and a spot that doesn’t get frosty.
Lift plants that are in garden soil or big pots and place them in a smaller container to overwinter geraniums. Ideally, you should do this before the first frost. Damaged leaves and wilted blooms should be removed. Plants should be pruned back by about a third and placed in a bright, frost-free area. Because the plants won’t completely hibernate, water sparingly all winter long. Apply a general liquid feed in the spring and increase watering. Plant just until all threat of frost has passed, typically starting in late May.
Geraniums can continue to bloom throughout the fall or even into the winter if grown as indoor plants. Indoor geraniums should not be placed near open flames or radiators.
Here, Monty Don demonstrates how to give wintering geraniums a new lease of life by severely pruning them before they begin to grow:
How to propagate geraniums
In the spring, trim fresh growth from plants that overwintered. If you’d like, cuttings can be taken in the late summer.
Cut above the third joint below the developing tip to eliminate cutting material. Pinch out any buds that are producing flowers. Remove all leaves except for the top two with a clean knife. Recut the cutting’s base at the lowest joint.
Compost that has been cut up should be placed in a plastic garden container and compacted. Water the cuttings, then place them about one centimeter into the compost. Place the pots in a well-lit area that is warm but not hot. If you’ve obtained cuttings from many different types, remember to name the pot.
In our No Fuss Guide, Rosie Yeomans demonstrates how to propagate pelargoniums.
Growing geraniums: problem solving
Pelargonium rust can harm zonal geraniums. This is a fungal disease that frequently gets worse in humid summers or after plants have been grown in an area with inadequate ventilation. Brown patches on the underside of leaves are a sure sign of rust. Plants with brown patches should be destroyed.
In this Quick Tips video, we explain if you should water geraniums over the winter: