Geraniums: Zonal, Seed and Ivies
Pelargonium Geraniums
Ask a group of gardeners to describe a geranium and you are likely to get a wide array of answers, ranging from "large, bold, brightly colored annuals" to "perennials with delicate pastel-colored flowers." To clear up the confusion, we can start off by dividing geraniums into two groups: true geraniums–those whose botanical genus is Geranium, and others–whose botanical genus is Pelargonium. Most true geraniums are perennials and many of them are hardy in our climate. Most Pelargonium are traditionally grown as annual geraniums and have graced our gardens with their large flowers for decades. While many of them are also perennial in milder climates, they are grown as annuals in our gardens.
There are different types of Pelargonium, including zonal, seed, ivy, scented and regal as well as fancy leaf varieties. It is important to know what type of geranium you are buying so it will match your expectations and needs. Each type has a distinctively different plant habit and fills a different niche in the garden. Fortunately, they all have basically the same cultural needs.
Care of Pelargonium Geraniums
Geraniums are easy to grow. Plant them in well-drained soil where they will receive at least 5 hours of direct sunlight each day. They will grow with less light, but will have fewer flowers and the flowers will be smaller. Once they have settled in, geraniums should be kept evenly moist, but not wet. They will do better if they are a little on the dry side rather than too moist. Geraniums will bloom best if they are fed every few weeks with a water-soluble fertilizer like Bachman’s Mighty Bloom™. Unless they are planted in too much shade, geraniums shouldn’t need pinching. To keep them blooming, remove the flowers as soon as they fade. To do this, simply follow the stem holding the bloom cluster back to the branch and snap it off. Geraniums are seldom bothered by insects but will develop fungus problems in the roots or stems when they are kept too wet. It’s also possible to have problems with moldy blooms caused by botrytis during periods of high humidity. Geraniums are relatively cold tolerant in fall and may bloom right through several light frosts.
Types of Pelargonium Geraniums
Zonal geraniums
This is the term for the standard version of geraniums that are propagated vegetatively, by cuttings. Typically, they have large 4” too 6” round flower heads with each flower having double blooms held well away from the plant foliage. The leaves are also large– up to 4” across. The plant habit tends to be rather upright and well branched generally growing to about 18” in one growing season. There are always new series of geraniums being developed, so browse around at Bachman’s to find the latest varieties in all the new colors.
Seed geraniums
As the name implies, seed geraniums are grown from seed. They produce a more compact version of the zonal geranium, but with smaller single blooms on smaller 3” to 4” heads of blooms. These plants form low, compact mounds typically under a foot tall and wide. Seed geraniums are most often used in large landscape plantings and in smaller containers such as window boxes.
Ivy geraniums
Named for both their habit and their ivy-like leaves, these geraniums typically have leaves that are stiff and shiny. The branches are long and trailing. Flower clusters on ivy geraniums are about 2” to 3” across. Plants can spread over 2’ in one season. Ivy geraniums are great in hanging baskets and in window boxes and other containers.
Regal geraniums
These incredibly beautiful geraniums are great for early season color, but it is important to know they do not like the heat of summer and so they reduce the number of blooms they provide until the cool weather of fall. The Martha Washington geranium is a regal geranium.
Scented geraniums Valued for their unique fragrances, scented geraniums are also worth growing for their distinctive foliage. While some varieties do occasionally bloom, scented geraniums usually are not grown for their flowers. The plant habit varies widely from one variety to another, as do leaf size, shape, color and texture. Some of the best rose-scented geranium varieties are Robert’s Lemon Rose, Alter of Roses and Snowflake Rose.
Flowers and gifts from Bachman’s make any day a special one. When you order your flowers or gifts online, you know you’ll be getting a beautiful fresh flower arrangement from a trusted florist known for outstanding flower design, plus quality and service.
If you’re sending flowers or gifts out of town, you can rely on us to choose the best florist from either the FTD or Teleflora nationwide flower network. Florists who can be counted on to deliver the best fresh flower arrangements and gifts, even when doing a same day delivery.
