Plants in family geraniaceae
Pelargonium triste
Pelargonium triste, known as the Night-Scented Pelargonium, is a geophyte native to South Africa, notable for its clove-like evening fragrance. It features hairy, divided leaves resembling carrot tops and star-shaped flowers with maroon to black markings. This plant thrives in coastal sands and slopes, growing up to 1 foot 8 inches tall. It enters dormancy during the hot, dry summer and blooms from August to February. The flowers are pollinated by night-active insects, and the seeds have unique coiling awns for ground penetration. It is used in traditional medicine and for tanning leather. Pelargonium triste prefers full sun and well-drained soil, with a hardiness in zones 8-11.
Geranium phaeum
Geranium phaeum, native to Europe, is a perennial known for its dark violet, crinkly-edged flowers and star-shaped foliage often blotched with brown. It blooms for an extended period in spring and thrives in shady locations, tolerating moderately dry conditions. The cultivar 'Our Pat' has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Geranium maculatum
Geranium maculatum, commonly known as wild geranium, features charming pink to lilac blooms with dark veins that attract pollinators like butterflies. This perennial is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8 and spreads through rhizome-like roots and seeds, making it an excellent ground cover option. It thrives in well-drained soil and can grow in full sun or partial shade. The plant is also deer and rabbit resistant, adding to its appeal for gardeners looking for low-maintenance options. Its unique seed pods, known as cranesbills, add an interesting element to its lifecycle.
Pelargonium klinghardtense
Pelargonium klinghardtense is a pachycaul plant with chunky, fleshy stems and white flowers. It is native to southern Africa and grows on winter rain, becoming dormant in summer. The plant requires a free-draining, gritty soil mix and minimal watering during dormancy, making it suitable for arid environments.
Pelargonium carnosum
Pelargonium carnosum, native to South Africa, is a deciduous plant with fleshy stalks and a swollen tuber-like rootstock. It grows up to 24 inches tall and features tiny flowers in shades of creamy pink or pink crimson. This plant prefers light shade or morning sun and requires specific watering schedules to thrive.
Pelargonium 'Orange'
Pelargonium 'Orange' is a scented geranium with citrus-scented leaves, suitable for growing in zones 10 and 11 or as a potted plant. It prefers shade to partial sun and grows 18 to 30 inches tall, requiring dry conditions between watering.
Geranium psilostemon
Geranium psilostemon is a hardy perennial native to regions like Turkey and Armenia, known for its striking reddish-purple flowers with dark centers. This tall geranium can grow up to 3 feet, forming large clumps with leaves that turn red in autumn. It is resilient to cold, surviving temperatures as low as -4°F, and blooms from late spring over a long season. The plant's smooth stamens and magenta flowers make it a unique addition to gardens, especially as underplanting for larger shrubs. It has been recognized with the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Pelargonium reniforme
Pelargonium reniforme is an evergreen ground cover native to South Africa's Eastern Cape, known for its kidney-shaped grey-green leaves. It grows up to 24 inches tall and thrives in hot, dry conditions. The plant produces pink to magenta flowers from spring to autumn and is frost-hardy, requiring minimal watering.
Pelargonium 'Snowflake'
Pelargonium 'Snowflake' is a rose-scented geranium with leaves flecked with white variegation and light pink flowers. It thrives in shade to partial sun and can tolerate a wide temperature range. This plant is known for its pleasant fragrance and decorative foliage.
Geranium 'Mrs Cox'
Geranium 'Mrs Cox' is a hybrid plant known for its vibrant foliage, featuring a mix of yellow, green, purple, and maroon leaves. It produces salmon pink and white flowers and thrives in shaded to partially sunny environments. This plant can grow between 18 to 30 inches tall and prefers temperatures ranging from 40 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pelargonium alternans
Pelargonium alternans is a drought-resistant plant native to the southwestern Cape. It features attractively lobed-toothed foliage and white to very light pink flowers. This plant thrives in light shade or morning sun and requires protection from frost, making it suitable for warmer climates.
Pelargonium 'Attar Of Roses'
Pelargonium 'Attar Of Roses' is a scented geranium known for its rose-scented leaves and clusters of pale pink flowers. It can be grown outdoors in zones 10 and 11 or as a potted plant indoors. This plant thrives in shade to partial sun and can tolerate temperatures between 40 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. It typically grows to a height of 18 to 30 inches.
Pelargonium xerophyton
Pelargonium xerophyton is a caudiciform succulent with thick branched stems, forming a tiny gnarled tree shape. It has small, fleshy leaves and produces white flowers with a crimson blotch. This plant is known for its unique appearance and is suitable for collectors of unusual succulents.
Geranium 'Double Jewel'
Geranium 'Double Jewel' is a compact plant under a foot tall, known for its double white flowers with a pink-purple center. It has sturdy stems that remain upright, even in the heat, and prefers partial shade in hot climates. This geranium is a delightful addition to gardens, offering a charming floral display with its unique blooms.
Geranium phaeum 'Samobor'
Geranium phaeum 'Samobor' is a plant discovered in Croatia, forming a 2-foot wide clump with textured green leaves featuring a purple-black center. It blooms in May and June with dark lavender flowers and is easy to grow in hot, humid climates. This plant is a striking addition to gardens with its unique foliage and vibrant blooms.
Geranium pratense 'Mrs Kendall Clark'
Geranium pratense 'Mrs Kendall Clark' features satiny pale blue-pink flowers and deeply dissected leaves. This long-flowering plant begins blooming in late spring and pairs well with roses and silver-foliaged plants, adding elegance to garden borders.
Geranium 'Spinners'
Geranium 'Spinners' is a hardy hybrid geranium with deeply dissected foliage and rich violet flowers. It forms a 30-inch wide clump and blooms from early May throughout summer. This plant is ideal for sunny gardens and attracts butterflies.
Geranium oxonianum 'Claridge Druce'
Geranium oxonianum 'Claridge Druce' is a hybrid best suited for hot climates, featuring hairy green leaves and light pink flowers with purple veins. It is vigorous, drought-tolerant, and thrives in full sun or partial shade.
Geranium sanguineum 'Striatum'
Geranium sanguineum 'Striatum' is a clump-forming perennial with soft pink petals and red veins. It flowers from May to September and grows up to 2 feet wide and 8-10 inches tall. This plant is semi-evergreen in warmer climates and is drought-tolerant once established.
Geranium maculatum 'Gettin High'
Geranium maculatum 'Gettin High' is a perennial originating from Alabama's Cheaha Mountain, forming a 16-inch tall patch with silver-splotched leaves. It blooms with clusters of mauve flowers in mid-April and prefers open shade to a bit of early morning sun, making it a lovely addition to woodland gardens.
Pelargonium paniculatum
Pelargonium paniculatum is a deciduous succulent shrub with a stem that can grow up to 70 cm tall. It features brownish-pink flowers and is a winter-grower, blooming from winter to spring. This plant thrives in well-drained soil with full sun exposure.
Sarcocaulon vanderietiae
Sarcocaulon vanderietiae, also known as Bushman's candle, is a perennial under-shrub native to South Africa. It reaches 6-12 inches in height and blooms white flowers in late spring or early summer. This plant requires well-drained soil and full sunlight, thriving in hardiness zones 10b to 11b.
Geranium 'Johnsons Blue'
Geranium 'Johnsons Blue' is a sprawling perennial geranium known for its vibrant violet-blue flowers. It is one of the best-performing geraniums, attracting butterflies and being resistant to rabbits. This plant is suitable for both sun and shade gardens, making it a versatile addition to any landscape.
Geranium sanguineum 'Album'
Geranium sanguineum 'Album' is a low, mounding plant with silver dollar-sized, deeply cut green leaves. It produces 1-inch pure white flowers in spring and is durable in almost all conditions. This plant can be cut to the ground after blooming and often reblooms later in summer.
Geranium 'Stephanie'
Geranium 'Stephanie' is a hybrid perennial known for its textured, light green foliage and striking mauvy blue flowers with dark purple veins. This plant forms a compact clump about 14 inches tall and 18 inches wide, making it an excellent choice for groundcover. It blooms heavily in spring, particularly in April and May, and thrives in heat and humidity. Its ability to attract butterflies and resist rabbits makes it a versatile addition to sunny or partially sunny gardens.
Geranium cinereum 'Ballerina'
Geranium cinereum 'Ballerina' is a low-growing perennial with distinctive grey-green, ruffled foliage and pale violet flowers marked with darker veins. It blooms from late spring to early summer and is well-suited for partially shaded rock gardens. This plant requires good drainage and is resistant to rabbits, making it a hardy choice for various garden settings.
Geranium oxonianum 'Katherine Adele'
Geranium oxonianum 'Katherine Adele' is a hybrid perennial known for its glossy green, serrated foliage with dark black-purple patterns at the center. This plant produces light pink flowers from late spring through summer, adding a delicate touch to gardens. It was selected at Heronswood Nursery and is a cross between G. endressii and G. versicolor. The plant is suitable for sun to part sun locations and is resistant to rabbits, making it a low-maintenance choice for gardeners. It attracts butterflies and is ideal for rain gardens and sunny perennial borders. This geranium is also noted for its ability to thrive in a variety of garden settings, including those that mimic natural habitats.
Geranium 'Rozanne'
Geranium 'Rozanne' is a hybrid perennial with blue-violet flowers that bloom from June until frost. It forms an 18-inch wide clump and is known for its low maintenance and evergreen basal rosette. This plant thrives in rich, organic soils and attracts bees.