Gardeners become familiar with different types of annual geranium plants.
Explore all Pelargoniums cultivars for plant beds and container gardens, indoors and outside.
Zonal refers to the ring of darker color inside the leaf margin.
They come in singles, semi-doubles and doubles.
The plants have an upright and mounding habit and love full sun.
Maverick Orange has fluorescent orange flowers.
Peppermint Twist gets up to 14 tall; the petals are splashed with red over a white background.
Moulin Rouge has scarlet red blooms.
Freckles has pink flowers with a dark rose middle and was an All-America Selections winner for 1991.
Fancy-Leaf Geraniums (PelargoniumDistinction)
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A sub-group of the zonals is fancy-leaf geraniums.
Even when the flowers do not bloom the variegated leaves will stand out.
These geraniums will tolerate part shade.
Geranium Mr. Henry Cox has yellow leaves with a red ring and splashed with green and a purplish brown.
The Black Velvet Series has black leaves slightly edged with green.
Choose from flowers in red, rose, salmon or appleblossom.
The geranium Black Velvet Rose was an All-America Selections winner for 2002.
Stellar Geraniums (Stellar Pelargonium)
Stellar geraniums are also part of the zonal geranium group.
They are small bushy plants.
The leaves and flower petals are deeply incised creating a star-shaped appearance.
Stellar geraniums will tolerate less sun, especially in southern regions.
Some cultivars to look for are Vancouver Centennial, Peppermint Star, Chinese Cactus, or Exotic Glitter.
Ivy Geraniums for Hanging Baskets
Ivy geranium have waxy, succulent leaves with a trailing habit.
The botanical name for ivy geraniums isPelargonium peltatum.
Breakaway is an ivy geranium that tolerates hot weather.
The Summer Showers Mix includes red, rose, lavender, plum and white colors and trails 15-24.
Indoors, they will prefer sun from an eastern exposure but cool temperatures (air conditioning.)
Scented Geraniums
Pelargonium graveolenscan be used indoors or outside.
They like full sun, avoiding the hot afternoon sun.
Scented geraniums should be pinched back when they become leggy.
The plants are terrific in a container garden outside or indoor among houseplants.
Position these geraniums where someone is sure to brush up against the aromatic leaves.
Most plants are upright, however, there are some trailing types useful in a hanging basket.
Some examples include Chocolate Mint or Snowflake Rose.
Scented geraniums come in scents such asrose, lemon, apple, orange ormint.
Annual bedding geraniums are part of theGeraniaceaefamily, genusPelargonium.
To further confuse gardeners the genusGeraniumis part of the same family but is a perennial plant.
Geraniums growing in part shade may tolerate that level of light but will not produce flowers well.
Always amend soil in a garden bed with organic material before planting.
In container gardens use pre-bagged potting soil or a soil-less mix.
Pelargonium, commonly called geranium, is not the hardy perennial Geranium that returns every year.
The annual geranium can be planted anytime after the first frost-free date in the area.
Geraniums do not tolerate frost or cold temperatures.
Their foliage will become tinged with red and plant growth will be slowed.
Plant geraniums in the soil at the same level they were in the pot when purchased from the store.
Fertilize geraniums with a timed-release fertilizer or liquid fertilizer, following directions.
Water geraniums using a watering can or soaking hose, versus an overhead sprinkler.
Allow the soil, in ground planting beds, to dry out between watering.
Deadhead annual geranium plants to maintain healthy plants.
Gardening WithPelargoniums
Annual geraniums come in many types.
Types of geraniums such as regal or Martha Washington geraniums are usually used as houseplants.
They have large flowers but are not heat tolerant.
The geranium planted with theDracaena, spike, and vinca vine is a traditional container planting, sometimes overused.
