Geraniums are the foundation of the summer garden and offer continuous color in beds or containers from late April until fall. These low-maintenance sun-lovers are actually members of the Pelargonium family (genuine geraniums are a separate group of perennial plants), and they come in an almost infinite variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Here are some things to check for at your neighborhood garden center.
Zonal geraniums are probably already something you’re familiar with. The name “zonal” comes from the dark, zone-like patterns of bronze, purple, or dark green that are present on the surface of the leaves and that become darker as the foliage matures. Zonal geraniums are the most popular kind. The upright-standing zonal geraniums are available in a range of hues, including white, red, crimson, burgundy, peach, salmon, and bi-color. The hardy, sturdy plants known as zonal geraniums prefer a little bit of dryness. Your plants may suffer in hot, humid weather. You must remove the flower heads as they wilt in order to preserve them in prime condition.
Avoid buying zonal geraniums with yellow foliage or any that have lost their lower leaves, according to purchasing advice.
Variegated geraniums are prized for both their vividly colored leaves and their vibrant flowers, and they look beautiful in containers both by themselves and when combined with other annual bloomers. Variegated forms of zonal geranium have an upright structure and can reach heights of two to three feet. Even when they are not in bloom, these plants are gorgeous. The majority have tricolor or bicolor leaves. The following are some traditional variegated options to look for:
Shopping advice: Look for short, stocky plants when buying variegated geraniums. Avoid plants that are tall and lanky or that have a lot of crinkly, dried-out leaves at the base of the plant. Don’t be concerned if you don’t see as many blooms on the plants in the store or in your yard because most variegated-leaf geraniums don’t bloom as lavishly as their cousins.
It might be challenging for a novice gardener to distinguish between a zonal and seed geranium. In spite of the fact that they resemble each other quite a bit, seed geraniums can usually be distinguished by their method of sale. Although seed geraniums are typically sold in bigger groups or flats and are less expensive than zonal geraniums, zonal geraniums are typically sold in individual pots. Heavy bloomers, seed geraniums are the best choice if you want to cover a whole bed or landscaping with plants. These low-maintenance annuals produce single flowers in a variety of hues and are often shorter and more compact than zonals.
Shopping advice: Look for stocky plants with brilliant green leaves when buying seed geraniums. Severely desiccated plants with shriveled leaves and stems should be avoided.
For hanging baskets, window boxes, or tall, vertical pots where the plants’ attractive foliage can trail over the edge like a waterfall of blooms, ivy geraniums are unbeatable. The term “ivy geranium” refers to the plant’s trailing habit and ivy-like leaves. Ivy geraniums grow swiftly once they are established and can spread several feet in any direction. Ivy geraniums come in a variety of sizes; smaller, denser versions are sometimes referred to as balcony geraniums. Red, pink, white, salmon, burgundy, lavender, and bi-color are among the available hues. Remove the flowers when they wilt and feed your plants every few weeks with an all-purpose liquid fertilizer to keep them blooming consistently.
Ivy geranium shopping advice: Look for compact, thick plants with lots of bloom buds.
Don’t be intimidated by this geranium group’s intimidating moniker. The offspring of upright zonal geraniums crossed with several types of common ivy are simply known as interspecific hybrid geraniums. The outcome is a plant with the best qualities of both parents: continuous flowering, a dense mounded or somewhat trailing habit, and resistance to heat and drought. The interspecific geranium species Calliope and Caliente are both well-known.
Shopping advice: When looking for these gorgeous plants, seek for foliage that is lush and dark and that is crowned with showy flowers in hues like red, coral, pink, lavender, and orange.
To experience a scented geranium leaf’s strong fragrance, just lightly brush or rub it. There is a wide variety of smells and leaf forms available in scented geraniums. Lemon, lime, rose, orange, mint, and cedar are among the common fragrances of geraniums. Sadly, the claims that one type, “Cintronella,” may keep mosquitoes away are unfounded. Throughout the summer, scented geraniums produce tiny pink or white flowers.
Shopping advice: Before making a purchase of fragrant geraniums, read the plant label. Choose plants that will match your space because some species stay small and compact while others can reach heights and widths of 3 feet. Additionally, before buying, massage the leaves to make sure you like the aroma.
Because Martha Washington geraniums’ jewel-like blossoms are so eye-catching, you may frequently find the plants in florist stores in addition to your neighborhood garden center. These elegant plants, sometimes known as regal geraniums, produce a canopy of flowers that are bi-colored pink, lavender, white, and burgundy. The Martha Washington kinds of geranium prefer colder, wetter climes rather than bright, sunny weather. It might be challenging to get the plants to bloom again once the initial batch of blossoms fade. Although they make wonderful gifts, their performance in the garden may not last long.
Shopping advice: When buying Martha Washington geraniums, consider plants that are just beginning to bloom and look for vibrant green leaves. Steer clear of plants with blossoms that are already fading.
where to grow geraniums
Geraniums don’t care too much about soil types, preferring it to be moist and well-drained like other plants, but once established, they may live in the rain shadow of buildings, shrubs, or trees.
when to plant geraniums
Geraniums can be planted in the spring, from March to May, to establish themselves before the heat of the summer and provide you with blooms all season. In order to give them time to create a strong root system and begin blooming for you in the spring, you may also plant in the autumn between September and October when the soil is still warm.
Where may geraniums be grown successfully?
To cultivate geraniums, you don’t have to be an expert gardener. Geraniums don’t require much in the way of particular care and don’t care much for expensive fertilizers or niche soils.
For geraniums, soil
A loose soil with lots of organic materials is ideal for geraniums. Add peat, compost, or perlite if your soil is on the heavier side. Vermiculite and manure are not advised.
Geranium Planting Locations
Nearly all gardening zones are suitable for geranium planting. Even after understanding this, you might still wonder if geraniums require full sun. Geraniums need a lot of light to bloom, although in regions with hot summers, some shade is advised. The answer to the question of how much sunlight geraniums require varies on the particular geranium and your gardening zone. The optimum position has well-draining soil, morning sun, and afternoon shade. Pick a spot that is the right size for your geranium flower beds. The risk of illness is decreased by maintaining the proper distance between plants.
Geranium Planting Season
Planting season shouldn’t be rushed because geraniums aren’t cold resistant. If you hold off too long, though, you run the risk of missing the low nighttime temperatures that promote budding. Planting at the right time is the first step in understanding how to cultivate geraniums outdoors. Wait till your soil reaches 60 degrees F and the threat of the last frost has passed.
Geranium-specific fertilizer
Light fertilizing is required for geraniums. If you overfeed them, the blossoms will suffer while the foliage thrives. You don’t need to buy a specialized geranium fertilizer, despite the fact that you may notice it in your local garden center. Combine 2 teaspoons of a water-soluble 20-20-20 fertilizer with 1 gallon of water for a mild fertilization. Every three weeks during the growing season, apply this solution.
Geraniums in Containers
You may be wondering how to pot-plant geraniums. Actually, it’s as simple as putting them in the ground. You require a soil that is loose and well-draining, regular watering, and minimal fertilizing. As long as the container has drainage holes, geraniums thrive in various sizes and shapes of containers. The secret to growing geraniums in pots is to put them in sunny spots away from windy areas.
Geraniums grown in pots have the extra advantage that you may easily bring them indoors for the winter. Geraniums will flourish as a houseplant even in the coldest months if they are put in a sunny window. After the last frost, gently reintroduce them to the outside in the spring.
giving geraniums water
Take the time to leave an irrigation furrow around each plant to act as a watering reservoir since geraniums require deep, thorough watering. As a result, water can collect and then slowly percolate through the soil. Allow the soil to dry out in between waterings to prevent root rot. Using a soaker hose to water at ground level keeps water off the leaves and guards against illness. Geraniums need to be watered frequently because the soil in pots likes to get heated. You can water plants without waiting for the soil to dry up between applications since the drainage holes assist prevent root rot.
What volume of water do geraniums require? You’ll just need to keep an eye on your plants. Avoid allowing your geraniums to wilt for proper geranium plant care. Poor flower production and leaf shedding occur as a result of withering and revival cycles.
Geranium pruning
Outdoor-planted annual geraniums don’t require pruning, but routine deadheading can help reduce disease and boost growth. After the flowers have faded, simply pinch off the entire flower stalk and pick the plants’ dried leaves. The geranium houseplant frequently develops long, slender legs. Pinching the growth tips on a regular basis will promote branching.
Geranium Common Pests and Diseases
Geraniums are generally free of insects and other pests. Botrytis and other fungus attacks, however, can happen in cooler, rainier climates. Commercial fungicides offer some level of defense. Oedema and root rot are two issues that can result from overwatering.
Which variety of geranium is ideal?
Your Garden’s Best Hardy Geraniums
- Plant named “Brookside” (Cranesbill)
- Plant named “Elke” (Cranesbill)
- Plant named “Mavis Simpson” (Cranesbill)
- “Orion” geranium (Cranesbill)
- Gardenia patricia (Cranesbill)
- Rosane geranium (Cranesbill)
- Pink “Sweet Heidy” geranium (Cranesbill)
When will geraniums bloom?
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 geraniums be grown in hanging baskets?
Geraniums don’t have to be planted in hanging baskets, but people do like the way they look when they are cascading. Geraniums can actually be hung from baskets and pots to create a full live wall.
When you follow excellent watering practices, hanging geraniums are low-maintenance plants that are quite easy to grow. If you have a place to maintain them, hanging geraniums can be cultivated outside during the summer and brought inside for the winter. Ivy geraniums alone come in over 75 different cultivars (or types), giving you a sizable selection from which to build your garden residence.
Planting in a Hanging Basket
Comparing hanging baskets to pots or garden beds, there are several differences. You must be sure to utilize a light soil. You don’t want anything weighing the plant basket down more than necessary because it will be hanging from a hook. Make sure the container you purchase has at least one drainage hole because geraniums might rot in poorly drained soil.
You should make sure the basket is positioned in a location that receives sunlight for four to six hours every day, whether it is indoors or outside. Ivy geraniums are more delicate than other varieties, therefore if at all possible, place them in the morning rather than the afternoon to avoid sunburning the leaves and petals.
Wait until the temperature is constantly above 40 degrees if you’re planting them outside rather than hanging them indoors. Geraniums require little care, however they are sensitive to cooler temperatures and sunlight. Ivy geraniums, on the other hand, should only be left in places with full sun for as long as the temperature is below 80 degrees. You should try to shift them to regions with some shade if they frequently reach higher elevations (like during the height of summer), in order to prevent them from overheating or becoming damaged.
Growing Conditions
You should be sure to check on your hanging geraniums frequently throughout the hotter months in addition to giving them morning sunlight. They can survive in dry soil if you miss a day or two of watering, but they prefer a little moisture in the soil. To guarantee the optimal growth, maintain a generally consistent moisture level. The prevention of conditions like edema from weakening your plant will depend on maintaining an even moisture level (not too much or too little). These particular geraniums have a limited amount of soil to draw nutrients from because they are being planted in a basket. Ivy geraniums can be grown well without a water-soluble fertilizer, although it is advised that you apply one every ten days to aid in the growth.
Geraniums have a height range of 18 to 36 inches. You may enjoy blossoming flowers throughout the early fall if you take the proper care of them, making sure they receive the right amount of sunlight, temperature, and water. (Better even, you might get to enjoy them over the winter if you decide to bring them indoors.) To promote greater growth, you only need to make sure you prune and deadhead them as necessary. Deadheading is the practice of removing from the plant fading or dead blooms. You may encourage the plant to focus its efforts on producing new flowers by picking off the dead flowers. However, some claim that ivy geranium flowers clean themselves, so you might not need to deadhead them as frequently as you would other species.
A Step-By-Step Guide to Hanging Geraniums
Look no farther if you don’t know where to begin with your hanging geraniums! Below, you’ll find a step-by-step instruction manual. It starts with the basket’s construction and goes on until your porch is covered in lush, flowering geraniums.
- Select a basket. Make sure the basket you select has one or more drainage holes. A coco liner is commonly used in hanging baskets to keep the soil in place and increase drainage effectiveness.
- Identify an ivy geranium. Ensure that you receive the flowing impact that this version may offer. Other geraniums will still look lovely in baskets, but they will expand upward rather than outward.
- Start adding light soil with a high-quality mixture to the basket. You should use a rich soil to plant your ivy geraniums because there isn’t a lot of available soil for nutrients.
- Plant your ivy geranium in the basket once it has enough dirt in it. Make careful to add as much additional dirt as is required to maintain stability.
- Look for a location to hang your basket. It should be in a location with full sun to moderate shade, with morning sun being the most direct source of light. Avoid direct afternoon sunlight if you can to prevent the plant from being harmed. This place may be inside or outside.
- After locating a suitable spot, hang the basket there and water it. You should aim for wet soil. not too wet that you risk plant rot, not too dry that the geranium doesn’t have enough to live. Ivy geraniums should only receive water until it begins to leak through the bottom of the basket, which is a good general rule of thumb.
- To keep the plant happy and healthy, water as needed. Every day, you ought to check on your ivy geranium to see how it’s doing. In hotter temperatures, more water may be required because the soil will dry out more quickly. Note: If temperatures regularly rise to or above 80 degrees, you should shift your geranium from full sun to partial shade.
- Depending on how it grows, you might or might not need to deadhead the plant. Some claim it is unnecessary, but if the flowers begin to wither, make sure to remove them so the plant may focus its resources on flowers that are growing and healthier.
- You might be able to bring your plant inside to overwinter if it grows successfully. However, because geraniums are typically annuals, you’ll probably need to buy a new one the following year.