Annual

Geraniums

Botanical Name: Pelargonium x hybrida
Height: 12-18"; depends on variety
Spread: 8-10"; depends on variety
Exposure: Sun
Care: Deadheading (Removing spent flower stalks)
An old fashioned favorite for summer plantings in containers and baskets, Geraniums provide large showy flowers in a variety of colors. There are many types, but the two main catgories are the regular upright Geraniums and Ivy Geraniums. Ivy Geraniums tend to be more sprawling and trailing in habit and best suited for hanging baskets and containers, while regular Geraniums are fine for bedding, containers or baskets. The only drawback to these plants is the need for periodic deadheading, or removal of old flowers. This not only keeps the plants tidy, it encourages new flowers. Ivy geraniums tend to be more self-cleaning than the upright varieties, but still need to have the old flower stalks removed periodically. New breeding improvements are constantly being made, and Geraniums are being produced with decorative leaves, more profuse flowering, and a wider array of colors to choose from.