Introducing...
Pelargonium
Flowering throughout summer, pelargoniums are essential in borders and containers alike. Flowers are white, pink, orange, red or mauve, with some double varieties. They are not hardy, but can overwinter in frost-free conditions. On a sunny windowsill or in a heated conservatory, these evergreen perennials and shrubs can flower virtually year round.
Looks
Pelargonium are plants that evoke a holiday in the sun, with their rounded clusters of vivid red or orange flowers and bushy leaves, often strongly marked with purple or red. Trailing types have green ivy-shaped leaves and others are wavy-margined. Some even have scented leaves. Flowers also may vary from pure white through to pinks, mauves and deep purples, sometimes with a contrasting dark blotch.
Likes
All pelargoniums love a warm spot, in a pot or the ground. They prefer free-draining, even stony soil or an open compost. Most flower best with a some applications of potassium-rich fertiliser.
Dislikes
Pelargoniums will not survive the frost so give some thought as to how to overwinter them or whether to buy fresh plants each year.
Did you know?
Common names can cause mix ups. ‘Geranium’ is the name most people use when talking about Pelargonium. But Geranium is actually a different plant genus so to help avoid confusion some refer to Geranium as ‘hardy geraniums’, and Pelargonium as ‘tender geraniums’.
Growing guide
How to grow pelargoniums
All the information you’ll need to grow & care for pelargoniums in your garden.
Pelargoniums we recommend
Pelargonium 'Lord Bute' (R)
geranium 'Lord Bute'
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Pelargonium 'Dolly Varden' (Z/C/v)
geranium 'Dolly Varden'
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Pelargonium 'Lord Bute' (R)
geranium 'Lord Bute'
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Pelargonium 'Dolly Varden' (Z/C/v)
geranium 'Dolly Varden'
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Useful advice
Containers: summer selection
Growing plants in containers
Pelargonium rust
Pelargonium viruses
Get involved
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