A Sure Sign of Spring – Geraniums

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Geraniums are here, which signals warm weather plants are starting to arrive in earnest. It’s still too early to put them outside, though. Go by the weather, not the calendar, and be sure to wait until the evening temperatures are 50 degrees or so. 

Geraniums, or more specifically pelargoniums, deliver the Big Color in sunny areas and containers. The number one bedding plant in the USA, geraniums are indispensable for summer gardens, super simple to grow, and come in several pleasing shades, besides red. 

They also come in 6 basic categories – Zonals – Ivy leaf – Interspecifics, which are various hybrids of both the above kinds – Fancy leaf – Regals or Martha Washingtons – Scented leaf. 

The Zonals are everyone’s idea of a basic geranium. Super floriferous, upright, and well-branched, they are useful on their own in beds and containers. They also play well with others in mixed summer plantings. They can be found in named collections: Americana – Savannah – Maestro – Rocky Mountain, etc. New varieties come out yearly, always improving on vigor and other desirable qualities. 

The Ivy geraniums are stout and trailing beauties for containers that can also stand-alone or in a combination. These fast-growing beauties are available in an array of shades and interesting bi-colors. These can be found in collections named Global, Mini-Cascade, Ivy League, and Great Balls of Fire. 

The Interspecifics, the newest type, can resemble either Zonals or trailing geraniums. These are very tough and easy, with huge flowers. Calliope Dark Red is arguably the best red geranium, it’s in this group.

With so many delightful varieties to choose from, we hope you will visit us and find your favorites to decorate your outdoor space.