Garden geranium - how to plant on the street
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Garden geranium is a plant that attracts many flower growers. It received recognition due to the beautiful appearance of the inflorescences and the decorative effect of the bush. Previously, this flower was grown exclusively for medicinal purposes, as it looked very nondescript. Now everything has changed radically, thanks to the labors of breeders, it has acquired an attractive appearance.
Garden geranium - what kind of flower is it, what family it belongs to
Garden geranium is classified as a flowering perennial belonging to the Geraniev family. The name of the plant comes from the Greek language and means "crane" in translation.
Street perennial geranium
Perennial geranium has earned recognition and love of both experienced and novice flower growers due to its attractive appearance, pleasant aroma, benefits and ability to grow in completely different conditions.
Brief description and history of origin
Perennial garden geranium belongs to herbaceous plants, which are distinguished by drought resistance, strong immunity, and attractive appearance. It is characterized by long flowering and unusually high vitality.
Outwardly, the plant resembles a small but lush bush with openwork, dense foliage of various sizes. The edges of the sheets are either pointed or rounded.
Inflorescences can be of various colors, with the exception of yellow and orange tones, but breeders continue to work and work on breeding these shades as well.
The flower bud consists of five petals; when unfolded, its diameter varies from 2.5 to 4.5 centimeters. The height differs depending on the variety. Today you can find both undersized and fairly tall geraniums.
Recently bred varieties are characterized by excessive resistance to bad weather conditions. Even in strong wind, rain or hail, the plant looks beautiful, and its stems do not break.
Plant varieties and popular winter-hardy varieties
Often, summer residents find themselves in a difficult situation due to the huge variety of this flower. In such a situation, the most important thing is to be able to understand the characteristics of each type of plant.
Balkan geranium / large rhizome (Geranium macrorrhizum)
The flower has a powerful and long rhizome. This perennial ground cover plant grows to a height of 30 cm, and grows in diameter to 1.5 meters. The leaves of this species are oblong-rounded along the edge with large denticles.Their decorative effect persists until autumn, the only thing that changes is their color, which eventually becomes reddish-golden.
The flowers are relatively large - up to 3 cm, bright purple or reddish in color. The flowering period is early June. Its duration is about one month, during this period the plant exudes a pleasant aroma.
Large-rooted Balkan geranium
The flower of this species is used in rockeries. It is planted near stones, around which the plant grows and emphasizes its beauty. Also, this variety is used as a background for taller plants.
Blood-red geranium (Geranium sanguineum)
This type of geranium is very popular among flower growers. This flower is rightfully called a long-liver. Geraniums in the garden without transplanting can grow in one place for up to 15 years.
The flower grows to a height of 60 cm, forming a neat spherical shape during its existence. Almost the entire bush is covered with carmine-scarlet flowers, the diameter of which is about 4 cm.
In the garden, this variety is used in mixed flower beds and as a border and decoration in rockeries. For effective development, it is recommended to plant the flower in neutral or slightly alkaline soils.
Garden geranium perennial blood-red
Marsh geranium (Geranium palustre)
You can meet this species in the wild in meadows and marshlands. That is why such a flower should be planted in the garden in the same places. It will feel best on soils with high humidity. In this case, the place must necessarily be well warmed up by the sun's rays.
Marsh geranium is distinguished by large leaves, which are formed on long hairy stems, which reach a height of 20 cm. The diameter of the flowers is about 3 cm. The variety differs in undemanding care.
Blooming marsh crane
Georgian geranium (Geranium ibericum)
An unpretentious and viable variety, which is distinguished by magnificent purple flowers. They shower almost the entire bush. The flowering period is about 1.5 months. Begins in the month of June.
If you do not touch Georgian geranium, then a flower can grow in one place for up to 12 years. The plant is unpretentious and resistant to the vagaries of the weather.
The bush grows to a height of 80 cm. The foliage is rounded with jagged edges. It is recommended to plant this species in fertile sunny areas. Used to decorate lawns as a single plant.
Perennial garden geranium
Geranium magnificent (Geranium magmificum)
This street geranium has been known for a long time. The plant grows to a height of 60 cm. Externally, the shrub is large and dense. It grows very quickly, conquering large areas. The flower is a light-loving and demanding plant for fertility. Flowering occurs in the month of July. The flowers are light lilac and light purple.
The peculiarity of this variety is that geranium will not give birth to seeds. Used to decorate lawns as single plantings, as well as in mixed flower beds.
Geranium gorgeous rosemur
Geranium endressa
A low plant, the height of which does not exceed half a meter. The leaves are beautiful, deeply cut in a light green hue. Sprawling bushes with long creeping root shoots. The flowers are wide, funnel-shaped, collected in small umbrellas of pale pink color.
Geranium endressa is used to decorate rockeries, as well as decorate areas under trees. During cultivation, the flower is not picky about soil and conditions.
Blooming endressa geranium in the garden
Meadow geranium
A sophisticated delicate plant that blooms in blue, blue, violet, lilac and pink flowers. Lilac and blue geraniums look most impressive.You can meet this variety in meadows. The leaves are patterned, carved and formed on graceful stems. The flower loves moist and moderately moist soils.
Today, meadow geranium is subdivided into the following varieties:
- Purple birds;
- Laura;
- Splish splash;
- Pearl gost.
Meadow geranium purple birds
Planting perennial garden geraniums in the open field
It is recommended to plant geraniums outdoors in early spring or autumn. To do this, you should prepare the place and soil in advance.
Location selection
To grow geraniums on the street, a place must be selected in advance. You should first familiarize yourself with the requirements of the flower, depending on the variety. Some types of this flower need to be planted in well-lit places, while others, on the contrary, are more comfortable in shaded areas.
Varieties with tall shoots are best planted in the middle or background of a flower bed. Low-growing flowers are perfect for garden paths and borders.
How to prepare the soil and flower for planting
The intensity of growth and the abundance of flowering directly depends on how competently and correctly geranium will be planted in open ground.
For planting, it is best to select light, loose soil. It must first be dug to the depth of the shovel, add humus or special soil mixtures.
Basically, planting a flower in open ground is carried out by grafting an adult bush. Before this, the seedlings must be properly prepared. Before planting, the stalk must be held in a stimulating solution, and also treated with activated carbon. After all the measures taken, the seedling can be transferred to the soil only after 2-3 weeks.
If it is planned to grow geraniums with a formed root system, then it can be planted immediately after processing.
How to care for a plant in summer
Florists appreciate geranium not only for its attractive appearance, but also for its undemanding cultivation process. For abundant and lush flowering, you just need to properly water and cut the plant, as well as systematically apply top dressing.
Garden geranium in landscape design
Watering rules and humidity
Outdoor geranium maintenance involves regular but moderate watering. It is strictly forbidden to fill the flower, as this will eventually lead to root rot. It is important to choose a middle ground, as drought will also negatively affect the plant. Experienced growers recommend watering the plant as needed when the soil dries out.
Top dressing and soil quality
If during planting the necessary fertilizers, such as compost and peat, were not introduced into the soil, then the flower must be additionally fed.
It should be borne in mind that an excess of fertilizer will negatively affect the flowering of the plant. Experts recommend using potash fertilizers once every two weeks.
Pruning and replanting
When growing geraniums in the garden, planting and care does not cause problems even for novice florists. In order for the flower to please with an attractive appearance and abundant flowering, you need to make a little effort.
To achieve the formation of a dense bush in the yard or garden, the plant must be systematically pruned. Such events will help create a compact and decorative appearance, as well as protect young shoots and leaves from diseases.
Geranium can be grown in the country in one place for many years. But since the flower is prone to overgrowth, it must be transplanted. The optimal frequency of transplantation is considered to be once every 2 years. Spring is considered the right time for this.
Winter garden geranium care
In order for geraniums to successfully winter on the site, you need to properly prepare it for the onset of cold weather. In autumn, as soon as the cold weather becomes stable, the flower must be carefully protected from freezing. Before the dormant period, it is necessary to stop all feeding, and also, as soon as summer ends, gradually remove dry inflorescences. Before winter, the stems are cut by 1/3.
Flower reproduction methods
There are several ways to propagate perennial geraniums.
Seeds
Reproduction of geraniums at home by seeds is considered the most time consuming method, which does not always lead to positive results. With this reproduction, flowering should be expected only after a year, and then if you properly care for the planting material and seedlings.
By dividing the bush
This method is considered the simplest and most common. It is recommended to divide the bush during flower transplantation. It is better to do this in spring or late autumn.
For bush planting material, pits must first be prepared. Then dig up the bush and shake off the earth. Divide the rhizome lump with a sharp tool, so that at least one bud remains on each piece for germination. The plant is planted in holes at a distance of 25 to 30 cm from each other.
By cuttings
For such reproduction, young shoots are cut off, on which at least a few leaves are present. Then they are placed in water and kept in a warm room until the roots appear. After that, the planting material can be planted in the ground or pot.
Geranium cuttings
Growing problems, diseases and pests
Basically, all types of geraniums and pelargoniums in the garden are distinguished by excellent immunity and resistance to pests. But despite this, cases of fungal infections are still not excluded.
The plant can be exposed to brown spot or powdery mildew. Also, the flower often attacks the furrowed skosar.
Perennial terry garden geranium
Geranium is considered to be an amazingly beautiful plant. The flower looks great in the wild, in parks and gardens. Currently, about 400 varieties of this plant grow around the world.
Geranium is distinguished by a variety of shades. It can be white, burgundy, red, brown, purple, lilac, blue, etc. The flower differs in the height of the bush. On personal plots, you can find both undersized and tall bushes.
