Anyone who thinks geraniums are dull hasn’t paid enough attention; they’re more than just red flowers in pots. These versatile plants have much more to offer for your balcony or garden.
You can plant varieties that you like best once you know more about the different species. Welcome to the world of geraniums!
Geraniums are a popular garden flower known for their colorful blooms and versatility. But there is much more to discover about these classic plants beyond the common red garden geraniums seen in most nurseries. Geraniums actually encompass over 200 species within the geranium genus. When including interspecific hybrids and cultivars, there are endless varieties to explore.
In this article, we’ll provide an introductory overview of the major categories of geranium plants and their distinguishing features Getting to know the diversity of geranium types available can help you make informed choices to find your perfect match
Zonal Geraniums
Zonal geraniums (Pelargonium x hortorum) are the classic garden geraniums we are most familiar with. They are recognizable by their thick stems rounded leaves often marked with a dark “zone” and large clusters of flowers. Popular for containers and beds, these geraniums bloom continuously from spring through fall in vibrant colors like red, pink, white, purple, and bicolors.
There are hundreds of zonal geranium varieties ranging in size from dwarf types under 6 inches to larger varieties reaching 3 feet tall. Flower forms also vary, with single, semi-double, and double blooms. Zonals thrive in full sun and grow 12-24 inches tall and wide on average.
Ivy Geraniums
Ivy geraniums (Pelargonium peltatum) are known for their glossy, ivy-shaped leaves and trailing growth habit. Their cascading stems can reach up to 4 feet long, making them ideal for containers and hanging baskets. Clusters of small, single or double flowers bloom in shades of red, pink, purple, salmon, and white from spring to fall.
Ivy geraniums are more delicate than zonals with thinner stems and leaves. They spread out as groundcovers in warmer climates but also make excellent houseplants. Varieties range from 6 inches to 3 feet in spread.
Interspecific Geraniums
Interspecific geraniums (Pelargonium x domesticum) are a hybrid cross between zonal and ivy geraniums, combining the best traits of both. They exhibit the vigorous mounding habit of zonals with large, abundant blooms and the trailing ability of ivies. Interspecifics are highly floriferous cascading varieties that thrive in hanging baskets and containers.
Their flowers can grow up to 2 inches wide in bright colors including bi-colors like red with a white center. Interspecific geraniums range from 1-3 feet in size and bloom from spring until frost.
Scented Geraniums
Scented geraniums encompass many species prized for their fragrant foliage. When brushed or crushed, the leaves emit scents ranging from rose, lemon, lime, orange, peppermint, chocolate mint, strawberry, coconut, nutmeg, and more. Tiny flowers in shades of white or pink bloom in summer but are not the main attraction.
Use scented geraniums for container plants, borders, edging, or indoor houseplants. Popular scented varieties include Pelargonium citrosum (lemon scent), P. crispum (lemon), P. graveolens (rose) and P. tomentosum (mint). Size ranges from 1-3 feet high. Provide well-drained soil and full sun.
Martha Washington or Regal Geraniums
Regal or Martha Washington geraniums (Pelargonium domesticum) are prized for their showy, colorful blooms. They produce large clusters of flowers in vivid colors including bi-colors, patterns, veins, blotches, and more. The 5-inch wide blooms have an exotic look resembling orchids or pansies.
Regals have rounded, sometimes lobed leaves and grow 12 inches to 4 feet tall depending on the variety. They make excellent container plants for decks, patios, and indoors if given sufficient light and cool temperatures.
Angel Geraniums
Angel geraniums (Pelargonium x domesticum) are hybrids valued for their delicate, smaller flower heads. The 2-inch blooms exhibit unique bi-color patterns in shades of pink, purple, burgundy, white, and red, often with a darker eye. The mounding, bushy plants reach 8-12 inches tall.
Angel geraniums work nicely in containers, hanging baskets, window boxes, and garden beds. They combine nicely with other annuals and perennials. Angel geraniums bloom continuously from spring until frost.
Unique Species
There are also many unique geranium species beyond the common garden types, including:
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Fancy leaf geraniums – Grown for their colorful patterned foliage in shades of green, yellow, red, black.
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Wild geraniums – Hardy, perennial species like Geranium macrorrhizum (bigroot geranium).
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Hardy geraniums – Perennial species like Geranium ‘Rozanne’ and G. ‘Johnson’s Blue’ for borders.
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Novelty geraniums – Unique varieties like black-leaf geraniums.
Ideal Uses for Geraniums
With their diversity, geraniums can fulfill almost any role needed in gardens and containers:
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Hanging baskets, window boxes, planters – Trailing ivy and interspecific varieties cascade beautifully.
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Containers and garden beds – Upright, mounding zonals provide bold color impact.
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Edging and groundcovers – Low-growing species and dwarf zonals work well.
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Houseplants and indoors – Many geraniums grow well as houseplants with sufficient light.
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Perennial borders – Hardy geranium species add long-lived color.
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Fragrance – Scented geraniums provide fragrance.
Geranium Care Tips
While care varies slightly by type, most geraniums thrive with:
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Full sun
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Average summer water, allow soil to dry between waterings
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Well-draining potting mix
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Spring through fall fertilization
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Pruning spent blooms encourages reblooming
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Move containers and houseplants indoors before frost
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Annual in most zones, can be overwintered indoors where not hardy
Ivy geraniums – balcony dreams come true
For geraniums that hang from balconies with beautiful flower cascades, look for ivy geraniums (botanical name: Pelargonium peltatum), which are also sometimes called trailing geraniums. Depending on the variety, they form hanging stems up to 1. 5 metres long.
If they don’t have flowers, you can tell an ivy geranium by its smooth, shiny, waxy leaves that look like ivy. Their stems are thinner than those of zonal geraniums, which makes them a little more sensitive to wind.
The flowers of ivy geraniums bloom from May to the middle of autumn. They look like cascading groups of small flowers, while the flowers of zonal geraniums are round and stand upright. Most varieties let you prune the flowers by hand, but if that sounds like too much work, there are also “self-cleaning” varieties whose faded flowers fall off on their own.
Uses for ivy geraniums:
- Window boxes
- Hanging baskets
- Underplanting for tub plants
You can see how beautiful ivy geraniums look in baskets here.
Fancy leaf geraniums – unsung beauties
It’s true that ornamental leaf geraniums, also called “fancy leaf” types, don’t flower as much as some of the more common types. But they do have beautiful colored leaves that sometimes have complicated patterns like yellow, dark red, and green stripes. Upright and trailing geranium varieties also have exciting foliage. Fancy leaf geraniums like it when it’s warm and sunny, and they need to be watered regularly and given the right amount of fertilizer. How to fertilise geraniums.
Why plant fancy leaf geraniums?
Fancy leaf geraniums bring variety to mixed summer arrangements. There are so many different species that some people even collect them.
GERANIUM VARIETIES – Plants Weekly
FAQ
What are the different types of geraniums?
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What kind of geraniums come back every year?
Which geraniums bloom all summer?