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Which geranium is this?
caz11
Posts: 25
Hi, I was just wondering which variety of geranium this photo shows? I would like to grow some hardy varieties, but how do you tell between the tender bedding type and the perennials?
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What do the leaves look like?
Go down to the GC and look. Those sold from under cover, in plugs, for hanging baskets, for patio displays etc are the tender ones, pelagoniums.
Those in bigger pots out in the open amongst the other perennial plants are hardy. And probably labelled hardy geranium. Different type of plant entirely
In the sticks near Peterborough
Hardy geraniums - the genus name is Geranium. A common name is Cranesbill. Your flower looks like one of these.There are hundreds, probably thousands of varieties.
Tender geraniums are not geraniums at all. The genus name is pelargonium. They are often sold as Zonal Geraniums to distinguish them from true geraniums.
The leaves of hardy geraniums vary a lot, depending on the species / cultivar. Here are some piccies:
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=hardy+geranium+leaf&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.46751780,d.d2k&ix=sea&biw=1309&bih=697&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=8VeaUYrnC4TF0QWA6IGoAQ
Zonal geranium leaves also vary a great deal. Here are some:
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=hardy+geranium+leaf&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.46751780,d.d2k&ix=sea&biw=1309&bih=697&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=8VeaUYrnC4TF0QWA6IGoAQ#um=1&hl=en&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=zonal+geranium+leaf&oq=zonal+geranium+leaf&gs_l=img.12..0.42155.42916.0.44911.5.5.0.0.0.0.70.259.5.5.0...0.0...1c.1.14.img.HRJHU7lOtbQ&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.46751780,d.d2k&fp=baf161e89a0636cd&biw=1309&bih=697
Zonals usually have thick fleshy leaf stems, quite unlike those of true geraniums. If you see a young zonal geranium seedling with a purple ring around the centre of an otherwise green leaf then it is likley to be one that will produce red flowers. If the leaf is plain light green then the flower is more likely to be white.
Thanks for the help,
I know pelargonium are tender, I just thought the flower on this one I have looked more hardy geranium, but looking at the leaves they actually look more on the 'fleshy' tender side.. I am assuming therefore it's tender, I'll have a look around for hardy geraniums!
hardy geraniums are some of my favourites. Geranium phaeum is very early, been out for some time, very dark purple but also has a pink and a white version. Next there's G sylvaticum and G. macrorrhizum. All good for a shady spot. After that there are hundreds of them, something for any place in the garden
In the sticks near Peterborough
Orion is a very special one. It flowers from June till October, non stop!! I have two. Unfortunately it is not easily divided, otherwise I'd have a lot more.
Just looked at Orion Gold1locks. Lovely. I've got something a bit similar but lighter in colour 'Blue Cloud'.
In the sticks near Peterborough
Just had a look. Lovely soft pale blue. Does it flower till autumn, and is it easily divided? Its now on my radar!
It's easily divided, possibly not as long a flowerer as some but will have another go it youcut it back
In the sticks near Peterborough