About pelargoniums
I became a fan of pelargoniums, more commonly known as geraniums, about two years ago. In fact,
my front porch is now lined with terra-cotta pots containing different varieties and colors of
geraniums: purple, salmon, dark pink, light pink, and one that's best described as a hot pink/red.
I also have a large hanging geranium that I can see out my living room window. They are competing
with roses as being my favorite flower.That says a lot since I never thought I'd like another
flowering plant as well as roses! I first noticed geraniums because a friend has quite a collection that
I enjoy looking at while sitting on her porch. I also noticed that many other flower lovers had
geraniums in their yards.
Varieties and colors
A perennial in frost-free areas, geraniums come in many varieties and colors. Common colors
include: red, orange, salmon, pink, lavendar, white, and purple. In colder areas, put them in a
greenhouse during the winter. Common geraniums (P. Hortorum) are bushy and the flowers range in
size from 1 to 2 inches across. Ivy geraniums (P. peltatum) are trailing plants used as ground covers
or in containers where they can spill over the edges.Scented geraniums are grown mostly for their
fragrance and don't flower as much as the non-scented geraniums. Aromas include: lemon, lime,
apple, rose, pineapple, and peppermint. Many scented geraniums are used in teas and herbal recipes.
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Planting and care
Pelargoniums are nearly succulent. Give them light, well-drained soil, and moderate watering. Let
soil dry to about an inch deep before watering again. In hotter, dry areas, water container-grown
geraniums more frequently and give them filtered shade during the hottest part of the day. To
promote bushiness, pinch out growing tips periodically. In areas where they are perennials, prune
them back to at least half their size in late winter or early spring.
Uses
Geraniums are ideal container plants. Use the upright varieties for pots and the ivy geraniums (the
trailers) for hanging baskets or window boxes. I like planting lobelia and allysum with my upright
geraniums. The white and/or deep blue allysum with pink geraniums is a striking color combo. The
allysum gently grows over the side of the pot and is a nice complement to the upright growth of the
geranium. The hummingbirds seem to be attracted to my hanging geranium too. Several times while
sitting on my front porch I've been mezmerized watching a hummer while it feasted from
flower-to-flower. Sometimes less than two feet from my head!
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