The Hardy Geranium

The hardy geranium has been a favorite potted plant for generations, but did you know that you can plant them in beds and grow a hanging version as well? The zonal geranium has leaves with bands (or zones) and has flowers that range from red, to pink to white. This plant is commonly sold to grow in flower beds. The ivy geranium is a vine like plant that grows great in baskets or planters. It has smaller and less dense flowers with a trailing vine like form that can hang down up to 3 feet.

Planting Tips For Hardy

Geraniums can be grown indoors, outdoors in containers and planted in flower beds.

Geraniums like the sun, but not too much in climates that are very hot. Put them in a spot that will get 6 to 8 hours of sun each day. Strong winds can damage these plants so make sure the area is protected.

The geranium will do best in a well drained soil (a mix of soil and peat moss for container plants is good).

Geraniums grow nicely in patio containers and planters. Make sure you use a soil mixture that drains well (soil and peat moss or perlite) and do not over water. It is important to keep your plant in a container that is large enough to support growth or you will find the plant will wilt and look unhealthy.

Indoors, geraniums will flower better if you keep them in a sunny spot. They prefer temperatures around 65 degrees during the day and 55 degrees at night. Use a well drained potting mix and fertilize monthly in the spring summer and every 2 months in fall and winter.

Make sure you check the Hardy for signs of pests and diseases

Where To Buy

Order online from Nature Hills Nursery, Inc. -
Click here to order a Free Nature Hills Nursery Catalog

Of Interest:

Growing Geraniums

Plant Bytes

The Hardy can make a great addition to any garden. Geranium oil is used in aromatherapy in the bath and for massage. Geranium multisectum is a lovely, soft herbaceous perennial. The wild geranium is also called the Carolina geranium and is a semi-erect winter annual which is found throughout the United States and Canada.

Serious diseases of geranium, especially bacterial blight, southern wilt, Pseudomonas leaf spot, and rust, can arrive at your greenhouse on cuttings. It is commonly found in moist wooded areas or along stream banks, and can be easily recognized. When purchasing geraniums, look for sturdy plants with good strong leaves. The plant can be easily propagated from seeds or cuttings.

More On Geraniums:

Healing Properties Of Geraniums
Explore the medicinal uses of this plant from healing skin to repelling insects to relieveing symptoms of PMS.

Geranium Care
How to plant and care for your Geraniums.

Geranium Pests And Disease
What's making your plant turn yellow? Find out what it could be and how to treat it.