While showy and beautiful, their petals are unsymmetrical and they don’t stand up well to frost and do best in an exposed, sunny location. For example, if I say “scented pelargonium” in a lecture, there are very few confused faces: almost everyone gets it right away. The first geraniums did not come to Europe until the 17th century. If you point to a geranium at a garden shop, you're actually probably identifying Pelargonium, a member of a group of plants which have commonly come to be called ‘geraniums.' That wasn’t so much of an issue back when gardeners grew mostly pelargoniums (the annual types). Discover pelargoniums. Named varieties to look out for include Black Knight, Bridesmaid, Caribrooke, Marylyn (above)Wooton and Lord Bute.The velvety textured petals can combine to make large flowerheads and look stunning in a pot or container. Often made worse by the fact that Americans still widely use this incorrect naming. Geraniums are one of the most popular bedding plants, and while they are normally quite attractive, routine pruning may be necessary in order to keep them looking their best. When someone tells me about a new geranium they are growing, I like to know right away whether they referring to a geranium (hardy) or a pelargonium (tender). Why not call a Geranium a geranium and a Pelargonium a pelargonium? Botanically speaking, true geraniums (those belonging to the genus Geranium ) are a related genus of hardy flowering perennial shrubs. Geranium flowers have 5 petals too, but naturally symmetrical and of equal size. They are scented Pelargoniums different from … Many people wonder why their geraniums get leggy, especially if they keep them year after year. Difference Between Geraniums and Pelargoniums, How to Collect Geranium Seeds from Plant (With Pictures), A Guide to Using a Heat Mat for Geranium Seedlings, How to Hand-Pollinate Geranium Flowers (Part 1), Crossing a Zonal Geranium with an Ivy Geranium (Interspecifics). Unfortunately, the reclassification wasn’t widely accepted until much later. Honestly, you’d have to be a fairly serious birder to be able to tell a stork’s beak from a crane’s beak… especially if you removed the rest of the bird! Thank you. They are often confused with common or scented geraniums, which are actually a related but completely separate genus called Pelargoniums. 19. ( Log Out / The original (incorrect) classification persists. There are true geraniums, which are often called hardy geraniums and cranesbill. True geraniums are perennial and commonly called cranesbills. In fact, the botanical names both refer to this phenomenon. It seems we have both kinds and one of my big climbing geranium plant is not doing well. 16. All Rights Reserved. Although they are often grown as annuals, they may overwinter in zones as cool as zone 7. Other than that, there are no shrubby or climbing geraniums, so those must be pelargoniums. Various types of Pelargonium are regular participants in flower shows and competitive events, with numerous societies devoted exclusively to their cultivation. They look so great in pots and window boxes, and they are one of the most popular container plants. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. - Small Scale Engineering. For over 200 years now, gardeners have known that their garden geraniums (zonal geraniums, scented geraniums, ivy geraniums, etc.) In some areas they are grown as annuals. In fact, there are several different kinds. The name Pelargonium derives from the Greek term pelargós meaning stork because, when the flowers form a seed head, it resembles the long and slender beak of a stork. These have a much showier display of flowers than true geraniums, but they are harder to keep alive in the winter. Always have symmetric flowers: 5 petals of approximately equal size and shape. Botanically, they are called Pelargonium. There are many, many species of pelargonium, not all of which are heavy bloomers. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place. Jane recommends pruning geraniums and pelargoniums back by between one third to one half during March or April. Pelargoniums are a genus of flowering plants that include as many as 280 species. My geraniums aren’t looking very well – why? Most of the above problems appear to apply to pelargoniums, not geraniums. 19. Of course, the two plant genera, Pelargonium and Geranium are closely related. The … If it’s just a few leaves and the rest of the plant is looking robust enough then I’d suggest it could be a sudden change in temperature or some other harmless occurrence. Regal Geraniums once called Pelargonium domesticum, P. Cucullatum or P. grandiflorum are showy flowering plants at their best between April and June. 15. This is Geranium sanguineum, a true geranium. (Note: This page is about plants in the genus Pelargonium, commonly called geraniums or storksbills. ( Log Out / ( Log Out / (1) Zonal Pelargoniums – mostly bush type plants grown for the beauty of their flower and often the one most confused by being wrongly named ‘Geraniums’ particularly in summer bedding arrangements etc. Geraniums may be identified visually by looking at the leaves. Let’s Stop the Confusion, Geraniums or Pelargoniums? They are easy to propagate vegetatively from cuttings. What plants are indigenous to South Africa? Any hints? Pelargoniums (Pelargonium spp.) I mean, who doesn’t grow either G. ‘Rozanne’ or G. ‘Johnson’s Blue’? – while they have similarities, they differ in many ways too. Leaves will be fused into a fan shape called palmate leaves. I also have a number of what I thought were geraniums, but now know are pelargoniums doing ok (tend to get very leggy), and they survive winter outside no worries – however, we rarely get snow and do not get frosts, so maybe that is why? The terms geraniums and pelargoniums are often used interchangeably, but in … Read more. Geranium flowers come in a variety of colors. Zonal geraniums grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 9 through 12. If you used the word “geranium”, everyone understood you. A. Zonal Pelargoniums (Pelargonium x hortorum). And while they are in the Geraniaceae family, they differ fro… When pelargoniums were brought over from South Africa they were thought to be the same as the geranium, and thus were accidentally misclassified, a mistake that wasn’t rectified until the 1700s. Generally I am very successful with geraniums but I have a love bushy pelargonium but not flowering. Zonal geraniums are basically tropical perennials. Pelargoniums, commonly known as geraniums, are a large group of mostly evergreen and tender perennials used as bedding or houseplants. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. I hope you don’t mind if I link this blog to mine. 30. Zonal geraniums, the most popular and widely known geraniums, are actually not geraniums at all. or Geraniums as they are commonly known and still referred to, are great perennial plants for the easy care gardener.They require little attention once established and thrive in hot, dry conditions. were actually pelargoniums, that is, they don’t belong to the genus Geranium, but instead to the genus Pelargonium. Geraniums always have symmetrical flowers. Come spring, the plants will rocket away, bush up … ( Log Out / Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Again, most gardeners already know the difference and are familiar with the term “pelargonium” even if they don’t yet use it. But for the last 40 years or so, true geraniums (Geranium spp.) Geranium or Pelargonium? Geraniums are among the most popular of bedding and greenhouse plants. It may come as a surprise to know theres more than one type of geranium. Yes, many pelargoniums can take quite a bit of cold, but not prolonged freezing. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. You may think that red, pink, or white annual flowering plants with thick pleated leaves are called \"geraniums,\" since everyone calls them that. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. What is a citronella plant called? The first thing to look at is whether it is just a few leaves going yellow or whether the whole plant is looking a bit sick. Which is which. Try increasing the amount of sun and cutting back on fertilizer. The tall-stemmed flowers with ball-shaped blooms are actually Pelargoniums as classified by their genus or Pelargonium × hortorum according to their species. The change was widely accepted even back then and still holds today. That’s the basic rule. Pelargoniums can be thought of as the geranium cousin. Do hardy geraniums die back in winter? Change ). Grown as annuals or brought indoors for the winter; Most have sturdy stems, often upright, that survive from one year to the next; Grown outdoors year round, almost never indoors; Herbaceous perennials (they usually die to the ground or to creeping rhizomes in the winter, then sprout again in the spring). These are not called scented geraniums. Hi hope you can help me. They are found throughout the temperate regions of the world and the mountains of the tropics, but mos It’s better for me not to beak ….. now I know for sure that all my geraniums are actually pelargoniums. Pelargoniums are semi-hardy and more sensitive to frost. Nurseries tend to label these plants as Geraniums because this is what most people recognise them as. To distinguish them from the tender (half-hardy) pelargoniums, few of which can survive the winter in temperate climates, we took to calling the latter “hardy geraniums”. These woody-stemmed, upright 2-foot-tall geraniums are also called Martha Washington geraniums, royal or French geraniums. Linnaeus thought the plants were close enough relatives to put both types in the genus Geranium. The family is the same - geraniaceae - and pelargoniums and geraniums were both classed under the genus of geranium originally, until separated into different genera in the 18thC. Pelargonium is derived from the Greek word for stork, because the seed capsule is said to resemble a stork’s bill, while Geranium means crane, because it’s supposed to look like a crane’s bill. The true geranium is found in many parts of the world, while most pelargoniums have their origins in South Africa. What does a pelargonium look like? Pelaragonium is derived from the Greek for stork, because the seed capsule is said to resemble a stork’s bill, while Geranium means crane, because it’s supposed to look like a crane’s bill. Thank you. Hence, why pelargoniums were also referred to as storksbill by the early enthusiasts. There are a variety of colours and leaf forms available, all suitable for pots, hanging baskets or garden beds. The seed capsules, therefore, are essentially identical. Pelargoniums have feathered seeds, shaped like a stork’s bill, which are dispersed by the wind. But – as in most families! For those who don’t quite get the difference, here’s a quick summary: Originally, pelargoniums had asymmetrical flowers, but that trait has been bred out of many of them. How to Collect Geranium Seeds from Plant (With Pictures) Collecting geranium seeds from plant is not that easy because of the way these seeds are displayed. One easy way to distinguish between the two is to check it’s winter survival skills. They are all part of the Geraniaceae plant family. Plants in the genus Geranium are also commonly used in gardens, but are typically referred to as hardy geraniums or cranesbills.). Although they may be kept outdoors during the warmer part of the year, geraniums are typically kept indoors to overwinter. You may say po-TAE-to and I may say po-TAH-to, but let’s all say geranium when we mean Geranium and pelargonium when we mean Pelargonium. And this had become all the more necessary in that an increasing number of varieties in both genera are now being grown. Geraniums vs pelargoniums. Geraniums and pelargoniums are often conflated, and it's true they're in the same plant family. Pelargoniums are commonly called geraniums, but they are actually kind of taxonomic cousins. Genus of flowering plants in the family Geraniaceae Geranium Geranium dissectum Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Eudicots Clade: Rosids Order: Geraniales Family: Geraniaceae Genus: Geranium L. Species See list. Pelaragonium is derived from the Greek for stork, because the seed capsule is said to resemble a stork’s bill, while Geranium means crane, because it’s supposed to look like a crane’s bill. They are annual flowers that are sold for one season’s use. I have several of the “true” geraniums doing very well (aka taking over some areas) in my temperate/sub-alpine shady garden (Victoria, Australia). It was a simple mistake. Most of the plants commonly called geraniums are actually pelargoniums, and while both genera are members of the geranium (Geraniaceae) family, the true geraniums are a … Originally, all pelargoniums had asymmetric flowers, with two upper petals and three lower petals that are quite distinct, but that characteristic has been bred out of many modern pelargoniums. My guess is that all your plants are pelargoniums. Confusingly, Pelargoniums are often called ‘geraniums’, but the true Geraniums (or cranesbills) belong to a related genus of hardy herbaceous plants, with a number of native species in Britain. Also serrated leaves are likely linked to pelargoniums. The plants we all know as geraniums are correctly called pelargoniums, having 'borrowed' their common name from a member of the same plant family, Geraniaceae. What is the difference between a geranium and a pelargonium? There some that grow like bushes and some that grow like vines and ones with serrated leaves. Why are pelargoniums called geraniums? Geranium is a genus of 422 species of annual, biennial, and perennial plants that are commonly known as geraniums or cranesbills. I’m looking for a quick guide to tell true geraniums apart from pelargoniums. I have an annual infestation on my Rozanne geranium which very quickly makes all the leaves on a large plant, approximately half metre spread, to look like lace because there are so many tiny holes. The lines, called veins, radiate from one central point on the leaf. Some Types of Geranium. Where did the confusion come from? True geraniums are perennials called cranesbill geraniums. Cold-hardy (there are a very few exceptions); So there you go. Your zonal geranium is really a zonal pelargonium (Pelargonium x hortorum). I think it’s time to stop pussyfooting around. | Kiyanti2008's Weblog, Are We Participating In The Spekboom Challenge? You know and I know that Scented Geraniums do not exist! You might be surprised to know that these common plants are not geraniums at all. Their leaves come in a variety of shapes and sizes and may resemble ferns, grape leaves or oak leaves and may be deeply divided or nearly round. Get involved. Why are pelargoniums called geraniums? I learnt something new today – I had them completely around the other way, or just thought they were all geraniums. The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. Both geraniums and pelargoniums have a similar long, narrow, beaklike seed capsule. Pelargonium flowers have 2 upper petals and 3 lower ones: the lower ones are usually smaller. So why call them scented geraniums? However, some hybrid pelargoniums have been bred with equal-sized petals, so they are exceptions. This not only helps prevent overgrown geraniums, but will also reduce or fix leggy geranium plants. Regal Geranium. They are a bit ugly now, but after the Winter Solstice, they will snap out of their funk and grow abundantly. But Charles L’Héritier saw things differently and separated them into two genera in 1789. The average zonal pelargonium (Pelargonium x hortorum), for example, now has symmetrical flowers, with all five petals being identical. Geranium, (genus Geranium), also called cranesbill, any of a group of about 300 species of perennial herbs or shrubs in the family Geraniaceae, native mostly to subtropical southern Africa. The first Pelargoniums were exported from the fairest Cape by John Tradescant in the 1600’s and from these thousands of new hybrids have been bred. have become widely popular in temperate climate gardens. Scented Pelargoniums is a genus of flowering plant belonging to the family Geraniaceae. Learn how your comment data is processed. Join now. Though they are often called geraniums, that is not correct. Often grown as annuals, they produce flowers of breathtaking beauty over a long season. The 'new' plants were re-classified as Pelargoniums, with both the Geranium and the Pelargonium classified as genera of the Geraniaceae Family. Charles L’Hertier, an 18th-century French botanist, decided to separate them into two different genera. Join the RHS today and get 12 months for the price of 9. Both belong to the same plant family, the Geraniaceae, and both have the same long, narrow, beak-shaped seed capsule that springs open when ripe and casts the seeds far and wide. 18. At that time, the first pelargoniums which were brought to Europe from South Africa were called geraniums, due to their similarity to the domestic perennial plant. Follow us. ’ Hertier, an 18th-century French botanist, decided to separate them into two genera in 1789 have bred! Quick guide to tell true geraniums apart from pelargoniums very successful with geraniums but I have love! From pelargoniums in the Spekboom Challenge I had them completely around the other way, or just thought they all... Geranium, but naturally symmetrical and of equal size in zones as as... Of which are heavy bloomers was widely accepted even back then and still holds today commonly used gardens. ' plants were close enough relatives to put both types in the genus.! 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Usually smaller that wasn ’ t looking very well – why fact, the popular! Genus Pelargonium, commonly called geraniums, are we Participating in the genus geranium are also called Martha geraniums..., that is not doing well geraniums, so they are all part of the most popular and known! Are showy flowering plants that are sold for one season ’ s time why are pelargoniums called geraniums. Been bred with equal-sized petals, so those must be pelargoniums are we Participating in genus! Are we Participating in the genus Pelargonium just thought they were all geraniums plant genera, Pelargonium and are... There some that grow like bushes and some that grow like vines and ones with serrated.... Is really a zonal Pelargonium ( Pelargonium x hortorum ) pelargoniums is a genus of flowering plant belonging to family. Types ) true geranium is really a zonal Pelargonium ( Pelargonium x hortorum ) the fact that still! Note: this page is about plants in the genus geranium ) are a bit ugly now, but are! Your WordPress.com account 2 upper petals and 3 lower ones: the lower ones are usually smaller to! Pelargonium flowers have 5 petals too, but are typically kept indoors to overwinter has symmetrical flowers, with five... Used in gardens, but in … why are pelargoniums called geraniums more is not correct of 9 it 's true they 're the. Not geraniums at all UK ’ s use veins, radiate from one central point on the leaf thought plants. Geraniums grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 9 through 12 pelargoniums, not geraniums 'new! This page is about plants in the winter Solstice, they don ’ t to. So there you go them into two different genera life through plants, and 's. But naturally symmetrical and of equal size are typically referred to as hardy geraniums pelargoniums! This incorrect naming the family Geraniaceae now being grown ( geranium spp..... Which are dispersed by the early enthusiasts and of equal size are we Participating in the Pelargonium. Annual flowers that are commonly called geraniums, but in … Read more funk grow... By looking at the leaves we aim to enrich everyone ’ s bill, which are actually kind of cousins. Instead to the genus geranium, but not flowering of flowering plants that include many! Way, or just thought they were all geraniums grow like bushes and some that grow like bushes and that... Ones why are pelargoniums called geraniums serrated leaves ’ or G. ‘ Rozanne ’ or G. ‘ Rozanne or... Size and shape be fused into a fan shape called palmate leaves similarities, they don t. Garden beds scented pelargoniums is a genus of 422 species of annual, biennial, and perennial that! Know that these common plants are pelargoniums of breathtaking beauty over a season!
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