GERANIUM Facts

COLORS

Red, white, pink, salmon, bicolors

LIGHT

Partial shade to sun

SOIL

Gritty, well drained

WATER

When soil becomes dry

pH

6.0 to 6.5

HARDINESS

Cannot tolerate frost; but likes a cool weather

TIP

Pinch off spent flowers to encourage the growth of new blossoms. In hot summer climates, zonal geraniums benefit from afternoon shade.

GERANIUMS

The large geranium family includes woodland wildflowers and tender perennials with scented leaves, as well as those sold as summer bedding plants, which are sometimes referred to as zonal geraniums in books and catalogs. Zonal geraniums have the large, lollipop cluster of flowers atop a single stem that have become one the most popular flowers for containers. Plants grow to 12 to 18 inches tall, and cool weather often brings out reddish rings or "zones" in the leaves. You can grow geraniums in beds or plant them in window boxes and other containers. Zonal geraniums grow best in soil that drains very well. Plant geraniums in early spring. They will bloom until cold weather arrives again in late fall.

Plants grow to 12 to 18 inches tall, and cool weather often brings out reddish rings or "zones" in the leaves.

FERTILIZING ZONAL GERANIUMS

Geraniums need a consistent supply of nutrients, but they are not heavy feeders. When planting geraniums in beds, cultivate the planting site at least 8 inches deep, and mix in a 2-inch deep layer of flower planting mix, compost, or other organic matter. If your soil is heavy clay, also mix in some sand to help it drain faster. Just before planting, mix in a timed-release fertilizer with a high middle number in the analysis, Vigoro® Timed Release Flower & Vegetable Plant Food. This indicates extra phosphorous, which will help the plants develop extensive roots.

When nights become cool in late summer, geraniums often produce a flush of new leaves and flowers. To support this new growth, fertilize them again with Vigoro® Timed Release Flower & Vegetable Plant Food. Sprinkle this "booster feeding" onto the soil between the plants and water well.

When growing zonal geraniums in containers, fertilize them more often With Vigoro® Bloom Builder Water Soluble Plant Food.

To keep plants looking good, remove the lower leaves as they yellow. Some yellowing is normal as the plants grow. Also, snip off the old bloom stalks to help keep the plants clean looking. Some of the newer geraniums bred for bedding are self-cleaning, that is the flowers fall away neatly, so there is no need to snip off old blossoms. In areas where summer nights are warm, geraniums may slow down blooming in mid-summer, but don't give up on them. They will bounce back in late August or September when the nights begin to cool.

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