What is the difference between a geranium and a pelargonium?

What is the difference between a geranium and a pelargonium?

The flowers of geranium and pelargonium are not the same. Geranium flowers have five similar petals; pelargonium blooms have two upper petals which are different from the three lower petals. Within the Pelargonium genus are perennials, sub-shrubs, shrubs and succulents. All up, there are around 280 species.

Is geranium Pelargonium a perennial?

The potted plant is officially named pelargonium and commonly called geranium. It blooms all summer, but does not usually survive winters. It blooms for a few weeks in late spring or summer, but survives really cold winters. It is a perennial.

When did geraniums become pelargoniums?

The naming problem occurred in the 17th century when the first pelargoniums were brought to Europe and were called geraniums, due to their similarity to the perennial plant, and so the name geranium has been used ever since!

How many years can a geranium last?

The average life expectancy of a geranium is about two years, and although they will last much longer than that, they tend to get woody and the blooms diminish. Luckily, propagation is easy with geraniums.

Are pelargoniums frost hardy?

If grown indoors they can flower all year round. Pelargoniums are not cold and frost hardy, so shouldn’t be confused with the very closely related true hardy geranium – or cranesbill – which are perennials grown outdoors all year round.

How do you keep a pelargonium flowering?

Keep the soil moist but not overly wet. Geraniums perform best in fertile, well-drained soils. Dry, hard soils will weaken the plants, and blooms may fade as a result. Soggy soil may cause the roots to rot and the flowers may fail to bloom at all.

Do Pelargoniums come back every year?

They are tender perennials, which means it’s unlikely they’ll survive winter outside – grown in pots, they can be brought indoors as winter houseplants, or moved to a conservatory or greenhouse. If you have bought young plants, grow them in 9cm (4in) pots, and once they have filled those, pot on into 2-litre pots.

Will geraniums come up every year?

True hardy geraniums are perennials that come back each year, while pelargoniums die in the winter and are frequently treated like annuals, re-planted each year.

How can you tell geraniums from Pelargoniums?

Pelargoniums sport five petals, just like the cranesbill. However, they differ in that the two upper petals are a different shape and size from the rest, giving it an asymmetrical appearance. Unlike the true hardy geranium, which generally lays low and wide, pelargoniums have tall stems that become woody as they age.

Do geraniums come back after winter?

What do you do with geraniums in the winter?

Storing geraniums for winter is super easy — you just put them in a cardboard box or a paper bag and close the top. Here are some tips to improve their survival: Keep your geraniums in a cool, dry location, at about 50 to 60 degrees F. Check for mold about once a month and remove dried leaves from the bag or box.

What do I do with pelargoniums in winter?

Get geraniums out of the ground Set the plants in a shady spot and let them dry for a few days. This will help avoid mold or mildew during storage. Store your geraniums through winter in a paper bag or cardboard box in a cool, dry location, at about 50 to 60 degrees F.

Where can I find information about pelargoniums and geraniums?

The Pelargonium and Geranium Society – The society that promotes interest in Pelargoniums and Geraniums, part of the Geraniaceae family. The Pelargonium and Geranium Society Virtual Show for members can be viewed over on the Society’s Youtube channel HERE (opens new window).

Who is the Australian Geranium Society Inc?

The Australian Geranium Society Inc has been established for 60 years, and is located in Turramurra, Sydney, NSW. The Society encourages continuing knowledge of the plant, its propagation and cultivation.

When was Pelargonium introduced to the UK?

In 1631, the English gardener John Tradescant the elder bought seeds from Rene Morin in Paris and introduced the plant to England. The name Pelargonium was introduced by Johannes Burman in 1738, from the Greek πελαργός, pelargós (stork), because the seed head looks like a stork’s beak.

What is Pelargonium oil used for?

Pelargonium distillates and absolutes, commonly known as “scented geranium oil” are sometimes used to supplement or adulterate expensive rose oils. The edible leaves and flowers are also used as a flavouring in desserts, cakes, jellies and teas.

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