Keep the pot moist and place it in a bright location out of direct sunlight as roots become well established. Plant beside a silvery artemisia for a contrasting cloud of beauty. 'Ann Folkard' is a hybrid cross between  G. procurrens and G. psilostemon. Angelonia. It may be possible to overwinter annual geraniums as far north as zone 7 if you cover them heavily in the winter, but it is generally best to grow them as annuals. Depending on the species, many have deeply lobed and dissected leaves. Most hardy geraniums thrive in light shade, whilst the smaller alpine types do best in full sun. Webs or parched leaves are signs of spider mites. Walter Ingwersen probably didn't notice this feature immediately when he discovered it growing on a mountainside in Yugoslavia in 1929, but its stunning amethyst buds and contrasting pale pink flowers surely caught his eye.Â. Variegated Geraniums Prized as much for their brightly colored leaves as they are for their colorful flowers, variegated geraniums look great in containers by themselves or mixed with other annual bloomers. The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Flowers of 'Summer Skies' last longer in sites with afternoon shade.Â, 'Splish Splash' brings a level of novelty to the cranesbill group that appeals to many gardeners. Zonal geraniums were first discovered in South Africa and if you have a similar, tropical climate, you can grow them as perennials. Prolonged temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit will stunt these plants, and temperatures at the freezing point usually kills them. Martha Washington or regal geraniums (Pelargonium x domesticum) are the cool-season annual geranium. Hardy perennial geraniums shrug off cold winters, with many hardy to zone 3. True members of the geranium genus are often known as cranesbill or hardy geraniums. If keeping geraniums as houseplants, be sure to bring them indoors in late summer or early fall, when nighttime temperatures start to regularly dip below 55°F (13°C). During the warmer months of the year (between your local frost dates), they can be kept outdoors in a sunny location.. They come in a variety of colors and are easy to grow, though gardeners sometimes report problems getting geraniums to bloom. While Geranium is the common name for these annual plants, their botanical name is actually Pelargonium. Taking cuttings is a traditional method of propagating geraniums and maintaining favorite varieties. Aster. Many types of Pelargonium are toxic to humans and animals, including dogs, cats, and horses. Geraniums grow indoors and out. A truly versatile plant there are over 300 species available ranging in color, shape, scent, size and foliage. Plants that stop blooming in hot weather may just need a little shade for the hottest time of the day. Hardy geraniums, often known by the common name "cranesbill," are the plants that truly own the Geranium genus name. The true geranium lifespan, as long as it’s cared for well, can be many years long. Although not a true Geranium, it belongs in the same family. In cooler climates geranium plants can be overwintered indoors before being replanted out in the spring. Plants have a long blooms season, and the lobed foliage is attractive even out of bloom. She has years of experience in caring for flowers and plants. Vegetatively propagated zonal geraniums are grown from cuttings. Container plants can be brought indoors if you wish. Ivy-leaf geraniums have an entirely different character than their zonal geranium cousins. While the trailing and mounding types of hardy geraniums have their place at the border's edge, some situations call for a taller plant. In the fall, some of the varieties will turn soothing shades of rust and crimson. Dark, moody foliage is very on-trend in the landscape, and this seldom-seen variety will turn heads in your summer garden. When the seedlings sprout, begin removing the dome for short periods each day to allow moisture to escape and to prevent damping-off fungus. There are also the fancy-leaved varieties, grown more for their variegated and patterned foliage. Model# 61072 $ 4 48. Hardy geranium is the rare plant that does best without any fertilizer at all, though it may appreciate an annual top-dressing of compost around the base of the plants. Water this living wall thoroughly the first season until plants establish a deep root system.Â, One aspect of geraniums that turn many gardeners off is their habit of self-seeding all over the garden. Some come colors such as gold, burgundy, bronze, gray, and green. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Gardening & Plant Care Review Board, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board, Annual geranium, zonal geranium, regal geranium, Martha Washington geranium, ivy-leaved geraniumÂ, Herbaceous perennial flower, usually grown as an annual, 5 to 36 inches tall, depending on variety, Red, purple, pink, magenta orange, salmon, white, bicolors, Species are from Southern Africa; most are now cultivated hybrids. Height: 10-12" Geranium cantabrigiense Bright and c… Plants & Garden Flowers; Annuals. 'Ann Folkard' geraniums spread generously in the garden, weaving bright green foliage and purple flowers with neighboring plants to fill in all gaps in the summer border. They combine very well with trailing annual flowers like Lobelia, Bacopa, Millionbells (Callibrachoa), Bidens or Verbenas. Packaged very well so no stems were broken. These are warm-region plants that dislike cold temperatures. The warmer the climate, the more the plants will appreciate some afternoon shade. This … A truly classic garden plant, geraniums have been a gardener's favorite for well over a century. 'Rozanne' features large blue flowers (and lots of them) over a long blooming season. Mary Norton from Ontario, Canada on April 01, 2018: I did not know there are different varieties of perennial geraniums. By using The Spruce, you accept our, 'Buxton Blue'/Buxton's Variety' (Geramium wallichianum 'Buxton's Blue'), 'Elsbeth' (Geranium sanguineum 'Elsbeth'), 'Espresso' (Geranium maculatum 'Espresso'), 'Summer Skies' (Geranium pratense 'Summer Skies'), 'Splish Splash '(Geranium pratense âSplish-splashâ), 'Springtime' (Geranium phaeum 'Springtime'), 'Plenum' (Geranium himalayense âPlenumâ), 'Ingwersen's Variety' (Geranium macrorrhizum âIngwersen's Varietyâ), 'Johnson's Blue' (Geranium ibericum 'Johnson's Blue'), 15 Best Zone 7 Plants to Put In Your Garden, True Geranium Varieties and Tips for Growing Them, 15 Best Zone 8 Plants to Put In Your Garden, Spiked Speedwell (Veronica) Plant Profile, 30 Easy-to-Grow Perennials for Beginning Gardeners, 15 Red-Flowering Plants to Consider for Your Garden, Aubrieta (False Rock Cress) Plant Profile, 14 Best Fall-Blooming Flowers for Your Perennial Garden. Choose from zonal, ivy, inter-specific, and regal geraniums, in a variety of types to meet the needs of your programs. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. When growing in containers, use a well-draining general-purpose potting soilânot garden soil. Hardy geraniums (not to to confuse with Perlagoniums, annual geraniums) provide an easy care, colorful, reliable ground cover or filler in the sunny to partially shaded garden.. But once you've grown hardy geraniums, annual geraniums may lose their appeal for you. Geranium Care Must-Knows. Ivy Geraniums. Geranium is a genus of 422 species of annual, biennial, and perennial plants that are commonly known as geraniums or cranesbills. Here are 16 good varieties to consider for your garden. Although most varieties prefer sun, they will tolerate partial shade as well. Plant them alongside ornamental grasses or baby's breath for a breezy garden effect.Â, Native Area: Nursery hybrid; parent species are native to the Pyrenees and Southwest Asia, A dwarf cranesbill such as 'Carol' breathes life into crevices and other difficult to plant pockets in the garden in late spring and summer with wine-colored flowers and grayish-green foliage. We gardeners can never have too many white flowers, and the deeply divided foliage of geranium 'Alba' only increases the ornamental value of this plant. Costa Farms 1 QT Purple Geraniums (8pk) Lovely plants, already blooming! Although there are more than 200 Pelargonium species, only a few are used as the common annual geraniums for ornamental gardening: Every year, it seems that there are more Pelargonium hybrids to choose from. In the warmest USDA zonesthey will grow as perennial plants. The price point for seed geraniums is usually lower. One of the first of the popular hardy geranium's, 'Johson's Blue' remains a favorite, and for good reason. As is the case with many hybrid plants, 'Sirak' geraniums are consistent and reliable garden performers. Make sure the container has plenty of drainage holes. Annual geraniums actually bloom a little better when slightly root-bound, so a smallish pot is fine for these plants. Geranium | Better Homes & Gardens. Alternanthera. Native to woodland areas, 'Espresso' geraniums prefer more moisture than other hardy geraniums, and also tolerate more shade than other varieties. Our Products: Annual Plants > Geranium Plants > Ivy Geranium Plants. The toxic parts of the plants are the leaves, which can also cause contact dermatitis. ... Certain varieties can survive the hotter summers in zone 9, and some others can survive, at least as far as the roots, in winters as cold as those in zone 3. Geranium 'Mavis Simpson' (Cranesbill) Noted for its length of flowering season, award-winning Geranium 'Mavis Simpson' is a spreading, semi-evergreen perennial with masses of perfectly rounded, soft, shell pink flowers, adorned with finely drawn, darker veins and a white center. Growing zonal geraniums is a snap. Alyssum. I didn't know geraniums came in perennial varieties, so thank you. Ivy geraniums (Pelargonium peltatum) are one of the next most-commonly seen types of geraniums. Zonal geraniums grown from cuttings have semi-double and double blooms. Satisfaction guaranteed! They are named for their thick, glossy green leaves, which are similar to those of an ivy plant. By using The Spruce, you accept our, 15 Red-Flowering Plants to Consider for Your Garden, Annual Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle) Plant Profile, Crossandra (Firecracker Flower) Plant Profile, 9 Best Colorful Plants for Hanging Baskets. The old-fashioned standard for beds, ... Color Combinations. Biden. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Although they are often called geraniums, the familiar annual flowers with red, pink, purple, or white blooms and thick, pleated leaves are not geraniums at all, but rather members of the Pelargonium genus. This group is noted for their large, ruffled flowers in white, pink, red, purple, yellow, burgundy, and bicolors. The annual "geraniums" so popular for container gardening seem to get more attention, but they actually belong to the Pelargonium genus. As spring arrives, harden off the plants for 7 days before transplanting them outdoors. Marie Iannotti is an author, photographer, and speaker with 27 years of experience as a Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator and Master Gardener, The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Hardy geraniums can cope with any soil type and some, such as Geranium sylvaticum and its cultivars, can cope with very dry conditions.. Hardy geraniums can be great self-seeders and plants will often grow in tiny cracks in paving, proving how tough they are. The palmately cleft leaves are broadly circular in form. This collection includes 2 each of the following varieties. Since these geraniums thrive in cooler temperatures, they are normally only sold as container plants in late winter or early spring. This plant requires very little care and is virtually free of pest and disease problems. One of the biggest advantages to growing perennial geraniums is the ease of planting and care. Heat, drought and cooler weather tolerant, needing only weekly waterings, though always remember to dead-head to promote great blooming! The Pelargonium species most often go by the common name annual geraniums or zonal geraniums. Their flowers are generally less strident and more toned to the pastel range of their hues. Give them a sunny spot with soil that is rich but well-drained. Thiis cultivar of bloody geranium (G.sanguineum) produces a large flush of blooms in June, and a smaller repeat blooming occurs in September. This plant is a cross between Geranium wallichianum 'Buxtons Variety' and a cultivar of Geranium himalayense. Place the plants in a very bright location or under grow lights and water them daily. Different Varieties of Perennial Geraniums. This plant is responsible for shining the spotlight on hardy geraniums in general and caused a resurgence of interest in their role in the garden. These tidy plants have a nicely rounded shape, with mounds of chartreuse foliage that soften border edges even when plants aren't in bloom.Â. Or, you can overwinter your geraniums in their dormant stateâa common strategy for geraniums grown in hanging baskets. Isolate affected plants from any others, and apply a one-percent solution of neem oil spray, soaking the plant and the soil. Take a short cutting with several leaves and stick the end of the cutting into a pot of warm, damp, sterile potting soil. However, because their appearance differs from common garden geraniums, you may have mistaken them for a different plant. “Geranium… Ivy Geranium Plants. 'Espresso' Dark, moody foliage is very on-trend in the landscape, and this seldom-seen variety will … Even better is the fact that learning how to keep geraniums over winter is easy. The trailing geraniums (ivy leaf) can be grown in hanging baskets, window-boxes or tall urns. You can grow them as houseplants in a window with bright, direct light. Bacopa. These fungal problems can be combatted by pruning the plant to improve air circulation or using copper-soap fungicides. White Geranium Annual Plant. Geraniums, however, can have very pretty foliage. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Gardening & Plant Care Review Board, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board. June and July bring violet flowers with dark veining and a white blotch that make them interesting cut flowers. The plant often reblooms if it is sheared back after the first blooms fade. Feed the seedlings weekly with a very weak houseplant food dilution. In climates with cold winters, bedding plants should be pulled up and discarded as soon as frost kills them. Every petal features a different pattern of flecks and specks that endure for several weeks in summer. Shear the plants back when blooming slows for a repeat show in early fall. They are used especially as potted plants (or planters), but they can also form colored beds in some corner of the garden. Are geraniums annual or perennial? There are annual geraniums that are tulip-flowered, cactus-flowered, and some with spiky star-shaped flowers. Provide plants with rich, well-drained soil and three inches of mulch to keep the roots cool and moist.Â. They thrive at the same temperatures preferred by humansâ55 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Garden Plans For Geranium. If you choose to take cuttings, make sure you only use healthy, vigorous plants. We offer a nice selection of geraniums for sale: ivy geraniums, balcony geraniums, zonal geraniums, and heat loving calliope geraniums. This plant is a hybrid cross between G. gracile and G. ibericum, both native to western Asia. Watch out for slugs, which love geraniums, especially ones grown in shadier locales. Cover the tray with plastic wrap or a clear plastic dome, then set the tray in a bright area where temperatures are consistently between 72 and 76 degrees Fahrenheit. This geranium appreciates soil with excellent drainage and will shine in your rock garden. Assorted Mix. These plants will grow in full sun or partial shade, but they bloom best in full sun punctuated with some shady relief in the hottest hours of the afternoon. Scientific name: Pelargonium × hortorum. Leaves emerge with a variegated pattern but eventually settle into a green tone in the summer.Â. Our forms include unrooted or rooted cuttings, calloused cuttings, pre-cooled, and pre-finished. 'Rozanne' is a hybrid geranium cultivar that was named the 2008 Perennial Plant of the Year. Bachelor Button. What beautiful flowers! ... White and Cream Geranium Annual Plant. Jamie has written about gardening and special occasion flowers since 2011. Classic Summer Zonal Geranium. Zonal geraniums are not heavy feeders, but since they are usually grown in containers, a light feeding with your favorite fertilizer, every two to four weeks, will keep them vigorous. Geraniums may be grown as houseplants or as annual flowers. Ingesting large quantities of leaves can cause hypothermia and muscle weakness, primarily in cats. Lavender flowers bloom in May and June. For maximum effect in the garden design, add a companion planting that emphasizes one of the two colors of 'Splish Splash,' like 'Blue Hill' meadow sage or candytuft.Â, Also known as mourning widow geranium, 'Springtime' hardy geraniums sport deep burgundy spring flowers held aloft on wiry stems. Originally from South Africa, they are very rustic and can withstand light frosts. These are the classical geraniums, those that can be admired... Regal Geraniums. True geraniums, commonly known as cranesbill geraniums, are a group of flowering plants that come from the genus of the same name. The Geranium genus is quite a large one, comprising more than 400 species. Make sure to water slowly at soil level and avoid splashing soil onto the leaves. Biokovo: Eye-catching hot pink sepals highlight starry white blooms on this award-winning variety. They are found throughout the temperate regions of the world and the mountains of the tropics, but mostly in the eastern part of the Mediterranean region. In general, hardy geraniums are tolerant of a broad range of soil, temperature, and sunlight conditions, though they prefer well-drained soil. 'Rozanne' is a trademarked name; the cultivar name is 'Gerwat'. Treat for these as soon as possible. The upright Geraniums can be used as a center piece for a larger container. Glossy green foliage takes on an attractive reddish hue in the fall. If you want to stump your horticulturally savvy friends, grow a lesser-known geranium variety like the G. wallichianum 'Buxton Blue' (also known as 'Buxton's Variety'). These are a large geranium that will grow to about 10-12 inches high. Native Area: Nursery hybrid; parent species are native to western Asia, 'Patricia' is another hybrid creaton, this one a cross between Geranium endressii and G. psilostemon. Some people take cuttings at the end of the growing season, rooting them indoors, then planting them in potting soil several weeks before outdoor planting time arrives again. Add a thin dusting of additional seed-starting mix over the tops of the seeds. Vigoro 1 Qt. The geranium name, however, persists to this day as the common label for many species of Pelargonium. You can start zonal geraniums from seed, cuttings, or transplants. The Different Varieties of Geraniums Zonal Geraniums. The geraniums are some herbaceous plants that have become very popular thanks to its beautiful flowers and ease of cultivation and breeding. Native Area: Nursery hybrid; parents species are native to Himalayas and Southwest Asia. Stressing the plants slightly by watering only after the soil has been sitting completely dry for a day or two seems to encourage more profuse blooming. Annual geraniums prefer rich but well-drained soil that is slightly acidicâ5.8 to 6.5. These plants are beefier in every way—plant size, flower size and price. Annual geranium colors Way back when, the most common colors of zonal geraniums were white, pink and red. To avoid confusion, we usually refer to Pelargoniums as “annual Geraniums” and true Geraniums as “hardy/perennial Geraniums”. Annual geraniums can be problematic to grow in very warm, humid climates, where they can be very susceptible to leaf spots and gray mold. Begonia. It is recommended that you deadhead the entire flower stalk after the flower fades to encourage more blooms. Long, trailing stems make them ideal for containers of all kinds. Keep 'Espresso' geraniums mulched, but don't mulch the crowns of the plants, which can cause rot.Â, Geranium pratense 'Summer Skies' is the antidote to the ordinary bloody cranesbill plant that some gardeners find a bit on the weedy side. Insecticidal soap, then a water rinse applied after the soap has dried, is an effective treatment for these pests. Fill a planting tray with moistened seed-starting mix and sow the seeds over the surface. Hardy geraniums do not demand frequent division, and once established, they are among the easiest of all perennials to care for. These are relatively drought-tolerant plants, which is why they are so popular for cemetery urns that are tended only sporadically. The four most common types of geraniums are ivy-leaf, scented-leaf, regal/angel, and the zonal varieties. Growing Hardy Geraniums. But with proper care, geraniums become a reliable plant in the home garden with steady blooms starting in late spring until the first frost. It?s a simple question with a slightly complicated answer. Native Area: Nursery hybrid; parent species are native to the Himalayas, The magenta blossoms of 'Elsbeth' geraniums pop against healthy green foliage at the front of the border. Scientific name: Pelargonium × domesticum. Double flowers with veining appear in late spring and continue for several weeks in hot areas or throughout the season in cooler regions. Pests generally pass over hardy geraniumsâno chemical sprays are needed. When grown in containers, the plants need to be fed more often than when grown as bedding plants. Glad to see you publishing again. I will find out in May if the ones I planted last year will come back. If you choose to grow commercial seeds, be aware that these slow-growing plants can take as long as 16 weeks from planting to flowering. These tropical perennials from South Africa are usually grown as annuals, though it is possible to overwinter them in very warm climates. Annual geraniums are normally planted from potted seedlings. Older varieties are somewhat intolerant of long periods of heat and humidity, but newer varieties are more heat-resistant. A form of zonal geranium, variegated types have an upright form and can grow 2 to 3 feet tall. Originating in South Africa they can be grown in the United States as an annual plant. Vigoro 1 Gal. For an early May planting date, for example, you'll need to start seeds in January. However,'Plenum' geraniums are sterile, so they stay where you put them. Toward the end of the growing season, several species also put on a … Finally, they can also be grown as a houseplant. It flowers in early summer, often producing a second, lesser flush of blooms in early fall. However, do not leave them dry for so long that they start dropping leaves and declining. Ivy Geraniums offer glossy, ivy-shaped foliage with a free-flowering nature that makes them ideal for window boxes, hanging baskets and stand-type planters. Shear the plants when blooms fade to keep it tidy. This is quite a large plant for a geranium, and it does not tolerate frost. Pelargoniums are distantly – but not closely – related to true Geraniums, which are hardy perennial plants. Bedding Geraniums are great container plants. Common Name. The blue flowers with deep purple veins are very showy when paired with white flowers like sweet alyssum or phlox. Discovered at the Royal Botanical Garden in Scotland, this plant may be a cross between Geranium peloponnesiacum and G. renardii.Â, In addition to its unusual name, this geranium stands apart from others due to its aromatic leaves, which release fragrant oils when crushed. Place the small plants in your container garden, where you can observe the detail of the white eye up close. 'Carol' also makes a rock wall into a vertical garden when you plant small divisions between gaps. Cutting back the plants often results in a second flush of flowers in the late summer or early fall. Annual geraniums are a very popular plant for patio containers, hanging baskets, and window boxes. Model# 61072 $ 5 98. Symptoms related to ingestion include vomiting, depression, anorexia, and gastrointestinal upset. Geranium Companion Plants. Geraniums (Pelargonium x hortorum) are grown as annuals in most parts of the United States, but they are actually tender perennials.This means that with a little care, getting geraniums to last over winter is possible. Keep the plant well watered but not soggy, and feed it weekly with a weak houseplant fertilizer solution. Originally, both types of plants were part of the Geranium genus, before Pelargonium was designated in 1789. Handpick slugs in the morning, or set out beer traps.Â. Most geraniums are F1 hybrids that will not come true from seeds taken from the plants. If you do fall in love with their double violet flowers and tolerance of many growing conditions, you can propagate them by division in the spring.Â, In contrast to the many sprawling hardy geraniums available, 'Stephanie' produces a very compact plant that perks up the late spring border. Model# 61072 $ 4 48. Locate plants so the lights are within an inch or two of the geranium tops. Annual geraniums can also be susceptible to white flies and aphids. Common garden or annual geranium plants are actually derived from the Pelargonium genus. They occur worldwide in temperate regions with representatives growing in Europe, North America, New Zealand and much of … Most hardy geranium varieties grow low and slow, with heights around 12″ to 18″, and a spread of 2 to 3 feet at full size. The common varieties grown by gardeners include about 18 different species and their named cultivars, as well as a number of hybrid crosses derived from breeding different species. Geranium. Annual geraniums are favorites for container plantings and hanging baskets, and they also work well as bedding plants. Most annual geraniums start blooming mid-spring and will repeat bloom until the first frost. 'Patricia' hardy geraniums are taller than most, reaching a height of about 30 inches. When the seedlings have at least two sets of true leaves, transplant them into their own small pots, burying the cotyledon leaves under the soil. White Geranium Plant. Ivy geraniums (Pelargonium peltatum) are trailing plants, with lobed, ivylike leaves, … Spreading mounds of sharply cut leaves produce sky-blue flowers from spring through midsummer. These geraniums are are characterized by their extraordinary... Ivy Geraniums… Fast forward to today, and these workhorses of the Summer garden come in every color imaginable, including peach and orange shades, rose and fuchsia colors, yellows, pale purples, deep magentas, and various pinks, reds and of course white. The Henry F. Michell Company offers a complete array of geranium options from around the world to fit your growing needs.