How to Grow Geraniums
Geraniums are one of the most popular flowering garden plants available for sale. While many nurseries carry a few varieties year-round, if you’re looking for a specific species or something unique, consider exploring online nurseries.
Scented geraniums are very popular and grown for both their flowers and fragrance. Caring for geraniums is quite straightforward, with the main tasks being simple and light work like pruning, deadheading, and repotting.
Geraniums come in a wide variety of options, including species and types like zonals, five-fingered, miniatures, and regals.
Most varieties are fairly easy to grow given a humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil and can be successfully grown in pots, planters, and even hanging baskets.
It is interesting to note that many popular ‘Geranium types’ are actually ‘Pelargoniums’. Varieties like Geranium rozanne known for its vivid blue flowers, are excellent choices for ground cover. You can find more information on Pelargoniums on our Pelargonium Pages.
Geranium or Pelargonium, What’s the Difference?
All “Geraniums” and “Pelargoniums” are part of the same family Geraniaceae. Geraniums typically have symmetrical flowers and are known as ‘Cranes Bills‘ (Geranium pratense) ‘Geranium‘ or ‘Hardy Geraniums‘
Pelargoniums, while a bit less hardy than geraniums, offer a wider range of colours. Those referred to as Zonal geraniums, Scented geraniums, Regal and Ivy leafed typess are actually Pelargoniums, each with its own unique qualities.
Geranium Care and Pruning
Begin by selecting healthy plants with sturdy and well-formed structures, avoiding tall and straggly ones. Most prefer full sun and humus-rich, well-drained, moist soil.
They do very well grown in pots or containers. During winter, when growth slows down and the plants appear untidy, they can be pruned back. Many gardeners trim them by one-third to one-half of their size. The main diseases to watch for are rust and leaf spot, which can be easily managed.
As autumn arrives, it’s time to prune most varieties. Simply trim them back to promote a bushy shape for the upcoming season, and you can use the cuttings to propagate new plants.
Grow Geraniums from Cuttings
You can propagate geraniums from cuttings, but Pelargoniums are even simpler. Take tip cuttings about 10cm long, remove the lower leaves, and let the cuttings dry for 12-24 hours (this prevents rot).
Plant them in a well-draining potting mix (you can dip the base in rooting hormone powder if desired), put them in a pot, and create a mini greenhouse by covering them with a plastic bag to maintain humidity. Remember to label with a pot tag.
Many species are regarded as Woodland Plants
Geranium Species Include : Geranium clarkei, dalmaticum, erianthum, ‘Gravetye’, ibiricum, macrorrhizum, maculatum, magnificum, nodosum, oxonianum, phaeum, pratense, renardii, sanguineum, sessiliflorum.
Also look for
- Geramium ‘Persian Carpet’
- Geranium ‘Tanya Randall’
- Geranium ‘Anne Thompson’ – A spreading groundcover type that grows well in part shade, large magenta flowers with dark centres.
- Geranium ‘Pink Spice’
- Geranium phaeum – A great plant for shade and attracting bees.
Geranium plants and cuttings are available for sale from the following nurseries
Large range of Rare, Unusual and Old Fashioned Perennials. Includes Artemisias, Achilleas, Geraniums, Geums, Salvias, Penstemon and Francoa.
www.yellowhouseheritageperennials.com.au
138 Olinda-Monbulk Rd, Olinda VIC 3788
"Large range of rare and unusual plants.."
www.gentiananursery.com.au
PO Box 7040 Leura NSW 2780
Rare woodland plants, Trilliums Epimediums, Arisaemas, plus much more.www.lynnsrareplants.com.au
Little Hampton, Vic 345
"Mail order nursery specialising in cottage garden perennials, flowering shrubs, Trilliums, Hostas and Pacific Coast Iris. Flat rate express postage - Except WA & TAS"
www.botanicaltreasures.com
www.planterspatch.com.au
470 Monbulk-Silvan Road Monbulk VIC 3793
"Guaranteed mail order flowering bulbs, perennials, roses, trees, landscaping plants, garden accessories and community fundraising Austra lia-wide."
www.gardenexpress.com.au
52 Rodd St Canowindra NSW 2804
An online nursery specialising in drought and frost tolerant perennials and fragrant, edible and herbs.
www.perennialle.com.au
Large variety of Epimediums, Woodland plants and Herbaceous perennials
Mail order or nursery. We do not send to Tasmania or WA
www.cloverhillrareplants.com
357 Monbulk Road SILVAN VIC 3795
Guaranteed "garden worthy" bulbs, plants and perennials. Visit the website to browse our large range of daffodils or request the latest free catalogue.
www.tesselaar.net.au
'Umbango' 750 Humula Rd, Humula NSW 2652
Phone 0408692773 Great Range of Perennial plants available for sale by mail order.
www.nutshellnursery.com.au
Wholesale Suppliers Include
email ask@plantmark.com.au
One of Australia's largest wholesale trade nurseries. Over 30,000 species available, tubestock to advanced trees, an almost unlimited choice of plants.
www.plantmark.com.au