Geraniums are one of the most popular garden flowers in North America. They're fragrant, colorful and grow well in containers, hanging baskets and flower beds. They're easy to care for and have over 300 different species to choose from. To help you pick the best option for your garden, here are the four main types of geranium to keep in mind:
Zonal Geraniums
Zonal geraniums are the most common type grown in gardens. They grow with single or double blooms in a wide variety of colors including white, pink, red, yellow, orange, purple and burgundy. Zonal geraniums are some of the easiest to grow and thrive in many different climates. They're drought-tolerant and can be grown as perennials in regions with temperate winters.
Regal Geraniums
Regal geraniums are also called Marsha Washington geraniums. This type of geranium has large multicolored flowers compared to the smaller, single-colored zonal geraniums. Regal geraniums need cooler temperatures to thrive, and won't bloom at all in hotter weather.
Ivy Geraniums
Ivy geraniums aren't climbing vines, but trail beautifully out of containers or hanging baskets. They grow in long, cascading mounds of flowers and can grow up to three feet wide if given enough space to spread out. These geraniums love full sunlight and will bloom from early spring to the first frost when in optimal conditions.
Scented Geraniums
While you might expect the flowers of scented geraniums to be scented, it's actually their foliage. Scented geraniums have velvety textured leaves that give off pleasant scents in endless variations. Some popular scents are rose, apricot, mint and apple. Generally, you can glean the scent from the name of the cultivar, such as "Lemon Balm" or "Chocolate Mint." These geraniums don't bloom as much as other types, but their special foliage makes them a favorite among many gardeners.
About the Author
Marsha Charles
Consistent top listing and selling agent receiving Chairman's Club award for superior sales achievement almost every year while associated with Preferred Properties, Inc. Consistently receive the International Presidents Premier award for sales volume since joining Coldwell Banker Realty and ranked in the top 1% of agents in Connecticut and Westchester County. In 2021 I received the International Society of Excellence award for sales volume in excess of $100,000,000. I have been named a Top Five Sales Agent for customer satisfaction since 2010 (longer than any other agent in Connecticut) and listed in Connecticut Magazine. Named one of the Top Agents in Connecticut by Real Trends since 2018.
I work with sellers and buyers and also have a strong understanding to needs of those who are relocating . Background and experience in advertising, public relations and photography offer creative and innovative marketing plans for sellers.
Realtor designations include: Graduate Real Estate Institute, Certified Residential Specialist, Certified Residential Marketing Specialist, and Pricing Strategy Advisor. Served as President of New Canaan Board of Realtors (two terms), Director (three terms) and currently serve on Professional Standards Committee. Named Realtor of the year by the New Canaan Board of Realtors in 1994and again in 2022.
Married and mother of other of four children who attended and graduated from the New Canaan School System, Member of New Canaan, Darien, Greenwich and Statewide MLS systems. Areas covered include New Canaan, Darien, Greenwich, Rowayton, Norwalk, Wilton and all of lower Fairfield County.
