Geraniums are outdoor plants highly valued by fans of gardening and decoration thanks to their brightly colored flowers. In addition, these plants do not need excessive care, and can become quite resistant. In the same way, we will offer you an extensive list of varieties of geraniums where we will include some of the most important of the genera of the Geraniaceae family: Geranium and Pelargonium .
If you want to learn more about the different types of geraniums that exist and what are the basic care of these plants, continue reading this article in which we talk about 23 types of geraniums .
Geranium columbinum L.
This type of geranium is commonly known as a pigeon foot geranium . Perhaps the common name comes from the similarity of its stems that turn reddish in color and the part of the stem where the flower begins to emerge with the leg of these birds. In addition, their stems are covered by a kind of layer full of hair almost invisible to the human eye.
Its flowering period is between the months of April and August. The Geranium columbinum L. is a species that prefers high places and whose flowers are pink or lilac . In addition, medicinal properties are attributed to it, as it is used to combat diarrhea and even to stop minor bleeding.
Geranium dissectum L.
Like most geraniums belonging to the Geranium family , this annual plant can reach 40 cm in height. The Geranium dissectum L. is quite recognizable by its purple flowers , always arranged in pairs and bright green leaves.
Geranium dolomiticum L.
It is one of the endangered species, since it is only typical of the regions of Ponferrada and Priaranza del Bierzo, in León, Spain. This species tends to reproduce easily on limestone blocks and it releases seeds without any regularity. Hence, Geranium dolomiticum L. is currently being reproduced in greenhouses. This herbaceous perennial produces bluish purple flowers and isolated during the summer months.
Geranium lucidum L.
Also native to Europe, this is one of the types of geranium that is characterized by reddish stems that reach more than 30 cm in height and by its bright green leaves, arranged in a divided way. Its flowering time is spring and its flowers are small and pink .
Geranium molle L.
It is one of the most used species in gardening since it can be easily planted and used as a cover plant for lush gardens, thanks to the green color of its leaves. The Geranium molle L. also known as spring or brad geranium . This herbaceous annual is able to survive the winter, hence its use as a color element in many flower beds and gardens. Its flowering time is in summer and it produces individual purple or bluish flowers .
Geranium nodosum L.
This variety of geranium is typical of Catalonia, especially of the provinces of Barcelona and Girona, in Spain. This herbaceous has palmatipartite leaves. The flowers of Geranium nodosum L. appear in inflorescences of between 2 and 4 pink flowers . Its flowering time is between the months of May and August.
Geranium phaeum L., one of the types of geraniums with curious flowers
This is one of the types of geraniums that is typical of Europe, especially in the highlands, such as the Pyrenees. Its flowering time, as with most of the species belonging to this genus, occurs between the end of spring and the month of August, approximately. The flowers of Geranium phaeum L. are deep purple in color and occur individually.
Geranium pratense L.
Typical of Europe and North Asia, this herbaceous perennial can reach more than 1 meter in height. The Geranium pratense L. preferred acid soils and wet pH. In the same way, it is not recommended that the sun directly them, to improve the growth of their roots that are mostly underground. Its flowers are purple and individual.
Geranium pusillum L.
This type of geranium is also known as Salamanca needle or wild geranium . Like the previous one, it is capable of reaching one meter in height, presenting leaves of an intense green color throughout the year. The Geranium pusillum L. flowering season occurs during the months of April to the end of summer. The flowers are small and purple in color .
Geranium purpureum
Known as rookfoot geranium , this herbaceous-type geranium does not reach more than half a meter in height. The geranium Geranium purpureum is a very common species on the Canary Islands and produces light pink flowers during spring and summer.
Geranium pyrenaicum Burm.
Typical of southern and western Europe, it is one of the geranium species with a flowering period that extends from spring to early autumn. Its intense lilac flowers are normally presented in pairs. The Geranium pyrenaicum Burm plant . It usually measures between 30 and 70 centimeters in height.
Geranium robertianum L.
The Geranium robertianum L. is typical of countries such as Europe, Asia and Africa. Its green, divided and triangular leaves are kept throughout the year. It reaches a maximum of 45 centimeters in height and presents pink flowers .
Geranium rotundifolium L., one of the types of geraniums with large leaves
Commonly known as Sausana , it is one of the most striking types of geraniums due to the size of its intense green leaves. Native to Europe, it reaches 30 cm in height. The flowering time of Geranium rotundifolium L. , like most of those belonging to this genus, occurs between spring and summer. This type of geranium has small , light lilac or pinkish flowers .
Geranium sanguineum L., one of the types of geranium with showy flowers
The most striking thing about this type of geranium are its flowers. These, which grow individually, are of an intense pink or purple color and appear between the months of April and August. Of perennial type, Geranium sanguineum L. , is a herbaceous native of Europe that reaches up to 40 cm in height and has deep green leaves with a star shape.
Geranium sylvaticum L.
Also known as forest geranium , this type of geranium is typical of Europe and Asia. It usually grows in high places and reaches more than 1 meter in height. Its flowers are amethyst pink with some touches of magenta and even white. The leaves of Geranium sylvaticum L. are darker green and lobed.
Pelargonium grandiflorum
This species of geranium called Pelargonium grandiflorum is widely used in gardening for its great ornamental value. Also known as pansy geranium , this type of geranium is a shrubby plant that easily reaches more than five feet in height. Its flowers are very showy and generally appear in fuchsia pink, purple, white and pink inflorescences or in combinations of these colors.
Pelargonium hortorum
The geranium Pelargonium hortorum , also known as mallow and is the product of a cross between Pelargonium inquinans and Pelargonium zonale . It can reach up to 60 cm in height and has a spectacular flowering for more than half the year. Its flowers are mainly pink or red and are highly valued as an ornamental plant both for gardens and for bouquets or centerpieces.
Pelargonium graveolens, one of the types of anti-mosquito geraniums
This type is commonly known as anti-mosquito geranium , since its aroma repels these insects naturally. The Pelargonium graveolens , is of a shrubby type and native to Africa and usually reaches up to a meter and a half in height. Its flowers appear in very showy inflorescences of light pink color on the outside of the petals and with small betas of more intense color from the inside of it.
Pelargonium peltatum
It is known as gypsy geranium , it is a type of ornamental geranium, very typical of the Mediterranean. The Pelargonium peltatum is popular for its variety of colors that will give the flowers bright red to pink . It is often used to decorate balconies and patios as they tend to fall down. This perennial plant prefers bright places and is very resistant, so it does not require much care. It usually blooms from spring to summer.
Pelargonium crispum
The Pelargonium crispum is known as geranium lemon because the citrus scent they give off their leaves. It is a shrubby plant native to South Africa, so it does not withstand frost well. The appearance of this type of geranium is that of a curly-leaved shrub that does not usually reach more than one and a half meters in height. Its flowers can be of different colors, such as purple, pink, red, fuchsia and white or a combination of these. Its flowering occurs between spring and summer.
Pelargonium zonale
The Pelargonium zonale , common name zonal geranium , is a plant that presents flowers with a wide range of colors that goes from red to white. This species is one of the most abundant, hence it is also known as the common geranium . It manages to reach almost 2 meters in height in its natural habitat and 50 cm in pot. It is another of the most common species in the Mediterranean garden.
Pelargonium citrosum, an anti-mosquito geranium with a good smell
The Pelargonium citrosum is a variety of Pelargonium graveolens the. It is known as citronella geranium and produces smaller flowers but with great ornamental value. Its leaves, which remain a deep green color throughout the year, are lobed and divided and have a good citronella or citrus smell . It blooms from spring to early summer and its flowers are light purple.
Pelargonium capitatum
Known as pink geranium , due to its characteristic pink flowers it is another of the most used species for its ornamental value. The Pelargonium capitatum is a shrub type, evergreen and native to South Africa. It is usually used as a hedge to divide garden areas because they reach almost one meter in height, but it can also be grown in a pot.
Geranium care – a basic guide
Next and to finish our article on the types of geraniums , we offer you a basic guide to keep your plants in perfect condition. Take note of the basic care of geraniums :
- Light: almost all geraniums need about 6 hours of sunlight a day. For them it is good to choose a bright area to place our plant, if possible on the terrace or balcony.
- Fertilizer: to fertilize our geraniums we will only have to use universal garden compost. It can even be mixed with compost or manure if we want to enrich the land and thus facilitate drainage. During the flowering season we can use other products, in moderation, to favor the birth of new flowers.
- Irrigation: geraniums do not need much water so only during the summer we will water it twice a week. In winter, watering it once is enough.
- Diseases: we must protect our geranium from diseases by always keeping it in a ventilated place but without drafts and removing all dead flowers to prevent the plant from consuming unnecessary energy.
