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Ivy leaf geranium spills from window boxes on picturesque Swiss cottages, sporting attractive foliage and perky blossoms. Ivy leaf geraniums, Pelargonium peltatum, are not as common in the US as their cousin, the well-known Zonal geranium. Ivy geraniums may soon become a popular flower in gardens as more people plant them and see how beautiful and plentiful the blooms are.
Ivy geraniums (Pelargonium peltatum) are gorgeous trailing flowering plants that are ideal for growing outdoors. With their dense, cascading foliage and pretty blooms in shades of pink, red, purple, and white, ivy geraniums make stunning additions to hanging baskets, window boxes, borders, and other garden beds.
Growing ivy geraniums outdoors does require some specialized care and conditions to help them thrive, Follow this guide to learn everything you need to know about successfully caring for ivy geraniums in your outdoor garden
Ivy Geranium Growing Conditions
Ivy geraniums prefer the following growing conditions when planted outside
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Full sun – Ivy geraniums need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day Morning sun is ideal
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Soil – They grow best in moist, well-draining, fertile soil. Loamy soil amended with compost is optimal.
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pH – Soil pH between 6.0-7.0 is preferable. Acidic soil should be neutralized.
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Temperatures – Daytime temps of 65-75°F and nights above 50°F are ideal. Protect from frost.
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Water – Consistent moisture is key. Water when top inch of soil is dry. Avoid soggy soil.
Ensuring ivy geraniums get the proper sun, soil, water, and temperatures will provide the conditions they need for vigorous growth and maximum flowering outdoors.
Choosing the Best Location
When planting ivy geraniums in your outdoor garden, carefully select an optimal location. Here are some tips:
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Place in full sun exposure against a bright, sunny wall or fence. This takes advantage of reflected sunlight.
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Position near southern facing areas that receive lots of sunlight throughout the day.
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Plant in raised garden beds that warm faster and provide better drainage.
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Avoid spots with dense, encroaching tree shade that blocks too much sun.
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Give them shelter from strong winds which can damage the trailing foliage.
Situating your ivy geraniums in the sunniest, warmest, and most protected parts of your garden will promote success. Monitor the light and adjust positions over time as needed.
Preparing the Soil
Ivy geraniums thrive in nutrient-rich, well-draining soil. Here’s how to prepare the soil properly before planting:
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Loosen the soil to a depth of 12-15 inches to facilitate root growth. Break up compacted soil.
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Mix in 2-4 inches of high-quality compost or well-rotted manure. This boosts nutrients, organic matter, and drainage.
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Add a granular organic fertilizer according to package rates before planting. Slow-release fertilizers work well.
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Check that soil pH is between 6.0-7.0. Adjust with lime if too acidic or sulfur if alkaline.
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Consider building raised beds for improved drainage and to prevent soggy soil.
Taking time to enrich and improve the soil will establish the right foundation for your ivy geraniums to flourish.
When to Plant Outdoors
Ivy geraniums should be planted outdoors only after the last expected spring frost has passed. This timing varies by growing zone:
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Zones 10-11: February-March
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Zones 8-9: April
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Zones 7 or cooler: May
Planting too early when frosts can still occur will damage tender geraniums. Introduce them gradually once warmer weather has settled if they were overwintered indoors.
Planting Process
Follow these steps when planting ivy geraniums in your outdoor garden:
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Dig holes or beds wider and deeper than the root balls of plants. Space 12-24 inches apart depending on variety.
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Carefully remove from nursery pots, loosen tangled roots, and place in holes. Top of root ball should be level with the ground.
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Backfill holes with your enriched, amended garden soil. Tamp down gently but firmly.
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Water thoroughly until the soil is moist but not flooded. Allow excess water to drain.
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Spread a 1-2 inch layer of mulch like shredded bark around plants to retain moisture and reduce weeds.
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Stake or trellis vining types initially to encourage upward growth if desired.
Proper planting technique provides ivy geraniums with the right start while minimizing transplant shock. Be sure not to bury any of the stems.
Ongoing Ivy Geranium Care
Once planted, ivy geraniums need proper care and maintenance to thrive outdoors:
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Watering: Keep soil consistently moist 1-2 inches deep. Water thoroughly when top inch is dry. Morning watering is best.
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Fertilizing: Feed every 2-3 weeks during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer. Follow label rates.
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Pruning: Pinch back long trailing stems or wind-damaged growth. Remove spent flowers to encourage new blooms.
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Pests/Diseases: Watch for aphids, mites, and botrytis. Control with horticultural soaps and oils. Improve air circulation.
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Winter Care: Geraniums are not frost hardy. Move containers indoors or take cuttings to propagate and overwinter plants.
With proper ongoing care, ivy geraniums will reward you with months of cascading color in your outdoor garden!
Common Problems and Solutions
Here are some potential issues and fixes for outdoor ivy geraniums:
Problem: Flowers fading, poor blooming
Solution: Give more sunlight, pinch back spent blooms, fertilize regularly
Problem: Wilting, drooping leaves
Solution: Check for under or overwatering and adjust, rule out disease
Problem: Holes in leaves, insects visible
Solution: Treat for aphids, spider mites, or other pests with insecticidal soap
Problem: Discolored foliage, spots on leaves
Solution: Look for signs of fungal issues and treat appropriately, improve air flow
Problem: Leggy, lackluster growth
Solution: Pinch back to promote bushiness, move to sunnier location
Enjoying Ivy Geraniums Outdoors
With their dazzling blooms and easy trailing habit, ivy geraniums are perfect for decorating garden beds, containers, window boxes, and hanging baskets outdoors. Provide them with ample sunlight, enriched soil, consistent moisture, and protection from frost. A bit of regular pruning and care will keep them growing vigorously. Incorporate these beautiful trailing plants into your outdoor living space and enjoy their wonderful ornamental appeal all season long!
Growing Ivy Geraniums and Care
Locate trailing geranium ivy in full sun if temperatures remain below 80 F. (27 C. ), but in hotter temperatures, plant them in partial shade. Protection from the hot afternoon sun is an important part of ivy geranium care. Too much bright sun may result in small, cup-shaped leaves and small blooms. An eastern exposure is the best area for growing ivy geraniums.
Care for ivy geraniums is easy if you maintain proper watering practices. Watering ivy leaf geranium must be consistent. To avoid edema, which breaks plant cells and shows up as corky spots on the underside of leaves, the soil needs to have the right amount of water—not too much and not too little. This weakens the plant, making it susceptible to pests and other diseases. Get on a regular schedule for watering as a part of care for ivy geraniums.
When growing ivy geraniums in containers, watering is particularly important. Make sure the soil stays moist, and pay extra attention to ivy leaf geraniums that are grown in hanging baskets that get air flow all around them.
Trailing Geranium Ivy Plants
The average home gardener in the United States can now get more than 75 different types of trailing geranium ivy from stores. Flowers and foliage colors vary among cultivars, as does the habit of ivy leaf geranium.
Some plants look like shrubs, while others spread out and make a pretty ground cover for a spot with some shade. Some have mounding habits and most are excellent specimens for container plantings.
Ivy leaf geranium flowers have half-double blooms that range in color from white to red and almost every pastel color besides blue and yellow. Flowers are “self-cleaning” so deadheading is not needed as part of care for ivy geraniums.
Best GERANIUM Care Tips – What We’ve Learned To Keep Geraniums Looking Their Best
FAQ
How do you keep ivy geraniums blooming?
Does ivy geranium come back every year?
Should you cut back ivy geraniums?
How do you care for ivy leaf geraniums?
Can Geranium Ivy grow in full sun?
Locate trailing geranium ivy in full sun if temperatures remain below 80 F. (27 C.), but in hotter temperatures, plant them in partial shade. Protection from the hot afternoon sun is an important part of ivy geranium care. Too much bright sun may result in small, cup-shaped leaves and small blooms.
Do ivy geraniums need deadheading?
Flowers are “self-cleaning” so deadheading is not needed as part of care for ivy geraniums. Locate trailing geranium ivy in full sun if temperatures remain below 80 F. (27 C.), but in hotter temperatures, plant them in partial shade. Protection from the hot afternoon sun is an important part of ivy geranium care.
Do ivy geraniums open?
Ivy geraniums open blossoms in clusters, too, but it’s a looser form than the ball-type blooms on their zonal geranium cousins. Ivy geraniums typically have blooms in the red-purple family, including shades of red, pink, white, burgundy, lavender and deep purple-black. Petals may display whiskers in a contrasting hue or have a ruffled appearance.
Are ivy geraniums trailing?
These are trailing geraniums that tumble happily out of hanging baskets or containers to form cascades of flowers and foliage. Ivy geranium (Pelargonium peltatum) unfurls leaves that resemble ivy. The leaves are quite eye-catching and have a bright green hue. Ivy geraniums can grow up to three feet wide—or trail that far out of pots.
How do you grow ivy geraniums?
Place ivy geraniums where they’ll receive full sun most of the day. In hottest regions, it’s a good idea to protect plants from strong afternoon sun. In containers, use a commercial bagged soil-less mix developed for use in containers. In planting beds, add organic matter to soil. Make sure that soil is moist but also well-drained.