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Geranium
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All
information on this website is copyright Flowers.gs
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Common Name
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Cranesbill
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Scientific
Name
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Geranium
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Plant Category
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Annual, perennial
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Location
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Eastern part of the Mediterranean,
North America, Europe and South
Africa
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Height
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6-15 inches
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Width
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1-3 inches
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Blooming Season
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Late spring to early fall
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Plant Habit
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Low-growing or tall and upright
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Color
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White, pink or red
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Sun
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Partial shade to full sun
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Soil
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Medium rich, well-drained soil
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Water
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Moderate
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Plant Characteristics
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Hardy plants. Deer resistant. Cultivated
for their fragrance oils.
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Usage
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Used in containers, beds, borders, window boxes or hanging baskets.
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Information
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Geraniums are hardy plants that
come in a range of beautiful colors. They were brought to Britain in
the 16th century and were originally grown in physic gardens, but quickly
found their way into ornamental gardens. They should not be confused with
annual geraniums which are in the genus pelargonium. The leaves are cut and
can be almost fern-like. Geraniums range from the low-growing kind for the
front of borders, which flop on the grass, to the tall and upright kind. Their
long, beak-shaped fruits give them the popular name cranesbill.
They show great variation in leaf, flower and growth characteristics. They
may vary in height from 6 inches to several feet, depending on the variety
and the care given to the plants. Many types are available.
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Growing Tips
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Geraniums can be grown from seed
or cuttings. They thrive in most soils, unless extremely waterlogged but they
do best in medium rich, well-drained soil. They should be planted in full or
partial shade. Add compost and a general purpose fertilizer to maximize
growth and plant health. To start plants from seed, sow seeds indoors eight to 10 weeks before the
last frost is due. Young seedlings should be transplanted into 2-inch pots
when the first true leaves appear and shifted to 4-inch pots as they become
larger. Keep the pots on a sunny window sill. If
growing cuttings, snip off several new growths, about 3-4 inches in length.
Then stick them in moist potting soil. Keep the soil moist and they will
root.
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Common Problems
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Geraniums are generally trouble-free
and resist most pests and diseases. White, powdery mildew may occasionally
occur, but cutting back the plants to ground level will generally result in a
fresh crop of mildew-free leaves within a few weeks.
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