What puttering gardeners call “geraniums,” horticulturalists refer to as “Pelargoniums.” All scented, ivy or common geraniums are species or varieties of Pelargonium. Originally discovered in South Africa, Pelargoniums were sent by the hundreds to Europe by the botanist Francis Masson in 1772.
The legend goes that he was chased through the African Bush by a chain gang of escaped convicts, was almost killed in a hurricane off Saint Lucia and was captured by French pirates on his way back to North America. For all his bravery and scientific exploration, Masson received one hundred pounds annually and had a rare lily, the Massonia, named after him!
Growing Geraniums (Pelargonium)
Few plants require so little attention yet reward the gardener with so many flowers. There are annual geraniums as well as amazing perennial geraniums that reliably and cheerfully come back each year in shades of white, pink, red, purple and blue. These easy care plants will display bloom from spring to autumn in a variety of climates. There are hundreds to choose from and most have the same easy growing requirements: full sun or partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. They bloom best if they receive 6 hours of sunlight.
Planting in Pots
Geraniums thrive in containers. They even bloom best when somewhat potbound and if allowed to dry out slightly between waterings. To encourage maximum blooms, remove spent flowers regularly. Remove any yellowing leaves immediately and pinch or trim back stems to encourage branching. Avoid overhead watering so you don’t wet the leaves and blossoms, and invite undesired fungal diseases. Geraniums are bothered by few insects and can withstand attacks by most pests provided they are healthy plants. If an Aphid or mite infestation should occur, it can be solved with a horticultural oil such as Sunspray or insecticidal soap.
Taking Cuttings
Additional plants can be started in the fall from stem cuttings or “slips.” Remove a 3-4 inch cutting from the tip of the stem. Strip off the lower leaves and place the cutting an inch deep into a rooting medium mix of perlite, sand and peat moss or sterile potting mix. Place cuttings in a north or east facing window for three to four weeks. Water sparingly. Next plant into 4-inch pots till they are established enough to be planted in the ground.
Some recommendations:
Common or Zonal Geraniums:
- Pelargonium x.hortorum These are shrubby perennial bedding plants which are compact in habit, often with fancy leaves or darker pigments, tri-colored leaves or leaves with silver/white markings. Flowers are mostly erect with double or clustered heads in pink, salmon, violet,red and white.
Ivy Geranium
- Pelargonium peltatum These are trailing plants from 2-3 feet or longer. Grows well as a groundcover or in hanging baskets. Succulent, glossy leaves with pointed lobes and many rounded clusters of flowers in colors ranging from magenta, white, red or lavender. Keep ivy geraniums evenly moist in a east or north exposure. They do not tolerate temperatures over 85 degrees for long periods.
Scented Geranium. The Smell-Good Geraniums!
- Lemon (P.crispum), Rose (P.graveolens), Peppermint (P.tomentosum) Most scented geraniums grow into small bushes from 2-4 feet wide.Many have small white or pink flowers in the spring. Even when there are no blooms the leaves are usually a nice contrast plant to have mixed in the garden and when wiped against your hands will smell heavenly. Scented Geraniums are hardy and drought tolerant.
