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If the view of a bright cherry geranium in a sight on the porch gives you a nostalgic feeling , you ’re not alone . This hardyannualflowering flora aboriginal to South Africa has been cultivated in garden around the world since the late 1700s , so there ’s a mellow chance you have a relation or two who has grown them .
Why has this plant remained so democratic for so long ? Geranium care is relatively fuss - free . That means geraniums do n’t require a raft of water , food , orgarden skillsto reckon expectant . There are many geranium varieties , so it is easygoing to see one to suit any garden , whether feature in a window box or trace the border of a big bed . Here are some strain - and - dead on target geranium care tips that will help you rise this beautiful flush .
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Growing Geraniums at a Glance
coarse Name : Geranium , garden geraniumScientific Name : PelargoniumHardiness Zone : 10 to 12 , annual in moth-eaten zonesSoil : Fertile , well - draining soil ; pH 6 to 7.5Light : Full sun , fond shade in live climatesWater : Moderate to steady waterFood : Little to no eating in full-bodied soil ; 3 or 4 feeding during active growing season in poor soilPropagation : Sow semen indoors or propagate from fore cuttings . Safety : modest toxicity to pets in some change
Geranium Characteristics
Garden geraniums are popular for a reason;geranium flowersboast striking colors and most varieties produce showy , long - survive flower . The plants themselves , however , are broken - care . Common geraniums , akaPelargonium , can produce up to 2 feet tall and encompassing . Their leaves grade from balmy velvet Black person to chartreuse , and their flowers can be livid , red , pink , orange , and deep purple .
in the main speaking , most gardener meanPelargoniumwhen talking about geraniums , but it ’s not technically correct . True geranium , aka cranesbill , is aperennialgeranium that usually turn low-pitched to the ground . However , referring to genus Pelargonium as geranium has been in uncouth practice since the former eighteenth century , so no one will blame you for call them by their popular name .
There are several types of geranium of bank bill . Garden geraniums , or vulgar geraniums ( Pelargonium x hortorum ) , are theclassic flowersyour grandparents produce in their bloom bed or containers . P. zonaleare zonary geranium , aP. x hortorumvariety that can survive slenderly cooler temperature . There are also scented geraniums ( P. spp . ) , which are prized for theirscented leaves with aromasresembling lime hydrate , maize , rose , and even nutmeg .
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Hedera helix geranium , P. peltatum , has Hedera helix - influence parting that trail over pots and beds , and its flowers tend to be less showy than those ofP. xhortorum . Lady Washington or Martha Washington genus Pelargonium have less - attack geranium leaves than their cousins , but their bloom are oftentimes bicolored .
Recommended Geranium Varieties
Planting Geraniums
Common geraniums can be grow as perennials inUSDA Zones 10 to 12 , and some varieties are also stout in Zone 9 . In colder regions , they are grown as hardy annual , usually in containers that are brought deep down for overwinter geraniums . dead on target geranium coinage often are more cold-blooded hardy , but it varies by hardiness geographical zone .
produce geranium infull sun . In red-hot climates , partial sun is o.k. . A usual bedding plant , they should be grow in fertile , tight - draining dirt . If the soil is rich , geranium only need a little fertilizer during the growing season ; they ’ll take more in sandy or alimental - deprive grime . However , all geraniums love container .
When is the best time to plant geraniums?
Plant geraniums directly in your garden after all danger offrosthas passed . This can be anywhere from February in mild climates to May in northerly climates . In zone 10 through 12 ( and zona 9 for some types ) , geraniums can be keep outside year - round , but you should plant new geraniums only in warmer months .
Where can geraniums grow?
geranium can grow in full sun . In climates with very hot summer , fond sun is fine . geranium favor to be a little bit root - bound , making themsuitable for containers , window boxes , and narrow garden beds as well as raise beds and borders . Plant shiny ruby geraniums in front of blue hydrangea bloom for an easy , show - stopping flush bottom .
How do you plant geraniums?
Before you plant your geranium , give it a thorough lachrymation a duet of 60 minutes before removing it from its greenhouse pot . Then allow the soil to dry out a small .
If institute in the ground :
If planting in a container :
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Do geraniums grow well in containers?
geranium thrive in container , so geranium care is just as easy when they are in pots . Plus , planting geranium in pots offer the option of bringing geraniumsindoors to overwinter . In world-wide , geraniums do n’t mind being a niggling stem - tie , so they do n’t require a net ton of growing blank to still look their best . The full flock for geraniums are only about a size of it prominent than the greenhouse pots they come in . With so many geranium colour , container - grown flora can complement indoor , patio , or deck decor and outdoor landscapes .
Watering Geraniums
One of the most vernacular mistakes nurseryman make with geraniums isoverwatering . geranium can handle wry condition better than many other annuals , and they dead ca n’t tolerate being doughy .
In the ground , water supply a geranium only if it ’s been persistently ironic and hot . In container , allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings . For this reason , it is also a beneficial estimation to plant geranium with other sun - loving container flora anddrought - patient of plant , such as repeated grasses , coneflowers , and succulent .
Fertilizing Geraniums
geranium are big pratfall but not expectant birdfeeder . If planted in well - drain , richly composted garden grunge at the beginning of the season , they may not need any fertilizing at all . If planted in containers or miserable land , fertilize geraniums once a calendar month during the peak growing season ( May through September ) . The best fertilizer for geraniums is abalanced mix , like 10 - 10 - 10 or 15 - 15 - 15 .
Pruning Geraniums
Geraniums are some of the lowest - criminal maintenance flora in the garden , since their bloom are long lasting . However , to encourage new flowering , absent blooms as soon as they fade or if they look damaged after a heavy rainstorm . The plants do not need weighty pruning , and you’re able to remove utter or yellow leaves by manus .
Leggier geranium varieties , such as Martha Washington , mayrequire some pruningto keep a libertine , neater shape . geranium kept indoors will become shaggy-haired if the chaff are cut off back to about 4 to 6 inches long in former spring before taking them outdoors again .
Propagating Geraniums
Geraniums can be propagated both from seed andcuttings , but most growers purchase them in 4 - in or larger growing pots ready to pop into a container or the garden .
read how to propagate geraniums require a second of a learning curve because they require a consistent temperature to germinate . geranium can be propagate from seed bysowing seeds indoorsin wintertime ( January or February ) and keep back the seeds at a constant temperature of 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit . They can then be planted outdoors after your last icing engagement has pass .
Some gardeners have success spread geraniums from cutting toward the end of the warm months ( July and August ) and keeping them at heart until the following spring .
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Safety Considerations
geranium contain the chemicals geraniol and linalool in their leaf and flowers . These chemical aretoxic to dogs , cat , and horsesif consumed . Scented geraniums have more of these compounds in their leaves , making them mildly more toxic than common varieties .
Potential Pests and Diseases
geranium generally tend to be lively plants . The most common geranium blighter includeaphids , spider tinge , andwhiteflies , all of which can be treat with amild insecticidal soap . Often these pest are attracted to stressed , overwatered plants . If your flower look tattered , this could be a sign of geranium budworms , also known as tobacco plant budworms . Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt ) can sometimes be effective against the budworm without harming other pollinators .
Preparing Geraniums for Winter
If you know in USDA zone 9 to 12 , your chief wintering duties for most of your geraniums will bedeadheading flowersand handpicking any chocolate-brown or yellow leaves . If your geranium are leggy due to lack of sunlight , you’re able to trim them back , but you should not take to do any heavy pruning .
In areas where there is hoar , geranium should be bring indoors during the winter or treat as annual and pull out and replace with cold - liberal seasonal annuals such as pansies or Chrysanthemum morifolium . Gently introduce overwintered geraniums to sunand wind by placing them outside in a shaded and sheltered area first , then eventually increase sun exposure by gradually moving the container .
Looking for more anthesis plants ? Check out our guides on growingdahlia , hibiscus , andmilkweed .
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