Care and Growth of Cute, Colorful Garden Geraniums in Containers or Flower Gardens:

This garden favorite known bright red or hot pink fers has the Latin name Pelargonium and the common name Geranium. Pelargonium hortorum are also ced Common Garden Geraniums.

Perennial garden geraniums g up to 3 feet t (or more) and h a shrubby habit. The ro, slightly ruffled les are slightly hairy and aromatic measuring from 1 to 3 inches across. Older plants h woody stems. Les can be solid green or h edging in red, yel or bn. There are many different hybrids of geraniums, some with scoped leafs and some with colorful edges or ters.

Their asymmetrical fers h two petals that point up and three that point down. Some resemble orchids and are bred to h similar colors. Pelargonium fer colors range from white to pink, deep reds, purple, peachy oranges, to deep salmon. Color hues can be gentle pastels or neon bright colors that stop traffic.

Pelargoniums are native to South Africa so they can take heat and bloom almost year ro. In my heavy, clay soil they do well with occasional water. They can take full sun to part shade, but if it gets over 100 degrees in the afternoon they will need shade during that time.

Geraniums in containers: Geraniums g well in containers. Many European villages are known their bright geraniums dripping in vibrant fers from every window box and balcony. Hver, they require a bit more water than plants ging in the garden. The smer the pot, the faster the plant will dry out. If your geraniums are drying out too fast, try mixing in some water-retaining crystals from your local nursery.

Propagation: Geraniums are easy to root. I've had great luck just sticking branches in the gro. Be sure that one of the joints in the branch is ergro. This part tends to m roots the fastest and help get your plant established quicker. If the gro is kept moist the first week or two they should take easily. Rainy season is a great time to plant cuttings directly in the gro because Mother Nature does the watering you. It is also possible to root geraniums in a jar of clean water.

Geraniums can also be gn from seed. Many seed companies offer their special hybrids with dazzling color combinations. But seeds from hybrid plants will not remain 'true'. Meaning they will not be the same at the parent plant. It is so much easier to root a cutting and you know you will get the exact same plant.

Sted Geraniums: Several different versions of Pelargonium are gn their sted les. Geranium sts include rose, apple, lime and mint. These plants also g to about 3 feet t. Their leafs may not be as large or as ro as the Garden Geraniums and gth can be leggy but the st is worth it. Sted geraniums are not usuy gn their fers as they are normy sm, pink and only bloom in the spring. Gather fresh cuttings to st a room or hang them to dry use in potpourri.

Whether you g them their colorful fers, sted les or water requirements, geraniums make smart choice any garden. Visit http://www.theGardenPages.com to see geraniums in fer and read more about dry garden plants. Happy gardening!