The Perennial Geranium

The perennial geranium is a versatile plant that is a favorite of many gardeners. It can be planted in baskets, window boxes and beddings and flowers in a wide range of colors. If you want to add a little scent to your garden, you can even plant a few scented geraniums and enjoy a variety of fragrances.

Planting Tips For Perennial

The geranium can be a beautiful outdoor potted plant as well as planted directly in your 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 soil should drain well and be slightly acidic for best growth

If planting in containers, choose planters that will be large enough to support growth of the plant. If you find the plant wilting between watering, this may be a sign that it needs to be repotted. Make sure there is adequate drainage and take care not to overwater.

Indoor geraniums will flower if put in a very sunny spot. Make sure they are in a container large enough for the plant with good drainage. Fertilize every month spring through summer and every other month fall through winter.

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

Where To Buy

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Of Interest:

About The Geranium

Plant Bytes

The Perennial can give color to your garden. Geranium incanum can be used very effectively on banks or as a colourful border plant. They are fairly hardy, although not disease free and you must want their leaves carefully. When purchasing geraniums, look for sturdy plants with good strong leaves.

Geranium oil is used in aromatherapy in the bath and for massage. The geranium grows wild in low grounds and open woods from Newfoundland to Manitoba and south to Georgia and Missouri. Serious diseases of geranium, especially bacterial blight, southern wilt, Pseudomonas leaf spot, and rust, can arrive at your greenhouse on cuttings. This plant can have pest problems like the plant bug which makes sunken, rounded, brown, spots on the leaves.

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.

Using Geraniums For Healthy Skin and Hair
The wild geranium has antiseptic properties that are said to help balance oily or dry sking and hair. It is also said to help relieve acne. A tea can be made that can be applied topically or a compress can be used to help heal bruises, cuts, sunburn and other skin ailments. A hot steam facial over a geranium tea or using it as a wash for your hair can help even out your complexion and hair texture.

Geraniums And PMS
Among the medicinal properties attributed to geraniums is the ability to help relieve the symptoms of PMS and menopause. Geraniums have astringent and antiseptic properties and have been used for healing and to repel insects for centuries. Native to South Africa, the plant produces essential oils in small glands around the foliage and flowers. The best time to harvest the oil is when the plant is just starting to flower.