Pelargonium x hortorum

 Pelargonium x hortorum

Biggest Plant Dictionary  |  Pelargonium x hortorum | Pelargonium is a genus of flowering plants which includes about 200 species of perennials, succulents, and shrubs, commonly known as scented geraniums or storksbills. Confusingly, Geranium is the correct botanical name of a separate genus of related plants often called Cranesbills.

Both Geranium and Pelargonium are genera in the Family Geraniaceae. Flowers : white, pink, red, salmon, orange, violet, and all shades in-between, with bicolors and double flowering forms also available. flowering from June until frost, in large showy spherical clusters atop long stiff peduncles, with continuous bloom strongly encouraged by frequent dead-heading.inflorescences are bold-textured due to their size, shape, and being held well above the foliage, and are found in either single-colored plantings or mixed-color plantings.

 Pelargonium x hortorum

Foliage
leaves are 3" to 5" across, medium to dark green, cordate in shape, bold-textured, thick, and oppositely arranged on the thick upper. stems, but very clustered at the base of the low-branching plant.leaves have three to five shallow lobes with very crenate margins, with the plane of the leaf blade not flat, but cupped at the cordate base, causing water to pool at the bottom of the leaf blade that joins to the top of the 5" long thick petiole.leaves are sometimes "zoned" with a dark bronzed band halfway down the leaf blade and parallel to (i.e., equi-distant from) the leaf margin. foliage is somewhat pubescent, and exudes a strong fragrance or odor when. bruised, but not nearly as pungent as other Geranium hybrids that are grown for their scent 

 Pelargonium x hortorum

Species
Commonly found are: Pelargonium crispum, Pelargonium cucullatum, Pelargonium echinatum, Pelargonium grandicalcaratum, Pelargonium graveolens, Pelargonium magenteum, Pelargonium x nervosum, Pelargonium odorantissimum, Pelargonium peltatum, Pelargonium quercifolium, Pelargonium tomentosum, Pelargonium tricolor, Pelargonium xerophyton, Pelargonium zonale.

 Pelargonium x hortorum

Garden geraniums are tender perennials and are popular bedding and container plants. The plants are characterized by succulent leaves and stems and may grow into small shrubs up to 3 feet high. The distinctive leaves in most varieties are circular, 2 to 3 inches in diameter and may be disctinctively marked or banded. The common name "horseshoe geranium" was inspired by some varieties having semi-circular bands on the leaves. The plants boast spectacular displays of 4 to 5 inch diameter flower clusters composed of small florets arranged in a half sphere. Flower color ranges from white through pink to magenta. There are scarlets and lavenders too. 

 Pelargonium x hortorum

Plants perform best in areas with warm, dry days and cool nights. They can be grown outdoors year-round where winters are very mild; in these areas, they bloom throughout warm weather. Elsewhere, they are summer annuals or houseplants. In cold-winter climates, move plants indoors before the first frost or take cuttings for next year.

 Pelargonium x hortorum

Plant in any good, fast-draining soil. Amend poor alkaline soil with plenty of organic matter. Geraniums growing in good garden soil need little fertilizer; those in light sandy soil should receive two or three feedings during active growth. Remove faded flowers regularly to encourage new bloom. Pinch growing tips of young, small plants to force side branches. All geraniums do well in pots; they bloom best when somewhat potbound. Common pests include aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites. Geranium (tobacco) budworm may be a problem in some areas; affected flowers look tattered or fail to open at all. Prevent or limit infestation by spraying plants with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt).

 Pelargonium x hortorum