Scientific Name:
Pelargonium
x
hortorum
Pronunciation:
pell-are-GOE-nee-um ex hor-TOR-um
Common Name:
zonal geranium, bedding geranium, hybrid geranium
Family Name:
Geraniaceae
Plant Type:
Annual (grown as)
Key ID Features:
Annual bedding plant with mildly fuzzy highly branched stems 30-50cm tall; leaves alternate, orbicular, most blades 8-12cm wide, may be "zoned" with a dark bronzed band, palmate venation, margins 3-5 lobed and crenate, base cupped and cordate, petiole ; inflorescence of various colours in umbels with 5 petals per floret.
Habit:
Dense
Form:
Round
Texture:
Medium
Mature Height:
0.4 - 0.7m
Mature Spread:
0.3 - 0.6m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
Africa - southern, Garden origin
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 10: (-1 to 4 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Bedding plant, Container planting, Hanging basket, Summer interest
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Palmate venation
Surfaces:
Pubescent, Distinctive smell
Colour in Summer:
Green, Dark zone in most cvs.; some cvs. variegated with cream.
Shapes:
Orbicular
Apices:
Acute, Obtuse
Bases:
Cordate
Margins:
Crenate, Pinnately lobed
Inflorescence Type:
Umbel, Floriferous
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Rotate/stellate
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, White, Orange, Violet, Pink, Red
Flower Scent:
Fragrant
Flower Time at Peak:
Jun, Jul, Aug
Fruit Type:
Schizocarp, Aborted (hybrids) or absent
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Sep, Oct
Additional Info:
Fruit insignificant, A single seed is released from each of the 5 mericarps of the capsule-like fruit
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green
Propagation:
Seed, Softwood cuttings
Maintenance:
Medium
Other:
Regular 'deadheading' required (remove old flower heads); remove spotted leaves to control mould
Pest Susceptibility:
Mites, Mold, Root rot, Thrips, Virus (Drought tolerant)
Specific Pests:
deer, Botrytis grey mold
Course(s):
- HORT 1155
- HORT 1193/1293
- Level 3 Apprenticeship
Location(s):
- (BED) BEDding, container, or basket