Geranium (Pelargonium)
[pel-ar-GO-nee-um]

Deciduous Perennial (usually grown as an annual near you) in the Geraniaceae Family

About Geraniums

These sweet-smelling plants aren’t as cold-hardy as say, well, Hardy Geraniums, but they’re plenty tough when it comes to hot, dry, sunny conditions. Their metaphorical roots are in South Africa, so it makes sense that these plants love a good heat wave.

Pelargoniums can act as annual garden bedding, small garden shrubs, or container plants and come in many fragrant varieties that scent the air with leaves reminiscent of lemon, mint, rose, and coconut.

These heat-loving parfumiers are also surprisingly resistant to common garden pests like earworms, cabbage worms, and Japanese beetles, so they make great friends to plants susceptible to such things; like corn, roses, grapes, and cabbage, to name a few.

 

Pros

Smells great!

Thrives in hot, sunny conditions

Excellent companion plant (plays well with others and repels common garden pests)

Cons

Not cold-hardy

Needs to be planted annually

This plant is probably not winter-hardy outdoors where you live.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 12 - 24 inches tall. 12 - 24 inches wide.
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium : Allow soil to dry to some extent between waterings, then water thoroughly.
Zones 10a - 11b (Usually hardy to 30° F)
Tags Annual in Chicago, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Pollinators, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Filler, Full Sun, Good for Beginners, Medium, Medium, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Rabbit Resistant, Repels Unwanted Insects, Showy Flowers, Tender Perennial
Bloom Period Spring to Fall
Flower Color White to pink, orange, scarlet and dark red.
 

More Info from Experts

Commonly Planted with...

Roses, salvia, geranium, sweet alyssum, begonia, petunia, calibrachoa, cabbage, corn, grapes.

Photos of This with...

Cyclamen, Dietz Prostrate Colorado Spruce
 


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Limited Availability

We try very hard to source exactly what you’d like, but sometimes growers run out of plants! While this variety is a great deal at the price shown, we know that it has limited availability. If you want the plant even if it might be more expensive, or in a different size or quantity -- after you place your order, just send us a quick note at help@northshoreplantclub.com. Then, we’ll try to get you some version of this from one of our growers. And if we can’t get it from anywhere, of course, we’ll send a refund!


Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


Estimated Recipe Cost

The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.


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