Geranium: varieties, care, names, photo

Gardeners-lovers for the decoration of flower gardens and window sills use geranium, which is known for its unpretentiousness in care. Amazing coloring attracts landscape designers and housewives seeking to create a special atmosphere in the room. Geranium, the varieties of which amaze with diversity, became a favorite of gardeners, because there was an opinion that this plant blooms in a house where true love lives.

In common folk, a flower is usually called "eagle's foot", "grapelnik", "roadside needle". The very word "geranium" comes from the Greek geranos, which means "crane". In Europe, the plant arrived in the 17th century from Africa, capturing aristocrats with beauty and a peculiar aroma, and became an exquisite addition to luxury apartments. Over time, the flower migrated to the windowsills of representatives of other estates, acquiring a democratic status.

Beauty of gardens and windowsills - geranium

It so happened that scientists for a long time could not decide whether to equate geranium and pelargonium, but in the mind of the inhabitant these plants are identical. Today, landscape designers prefer to use an unpretentious plant to decorate not only indoor spaces, but also the garden and park area. More than 40 species of garden geraniums are distributed on the territory of our country . Deservedly popular are both adequately withstand the characteristics of the cold climate, and varieties of geraniums (photos are presented in the article) thermophilic varieties. Plants differ in terms of growing conditions, flowering period, height:

• Tall (from 50 cm) - it's Georgian, meadow, red-brown, forest, flat, magnificent, small-stalked;
• Undersized (below half a meter) - Dalmatian, Himalayan, ashy, large-crowned.

Gardeners prefer the design of flower beds and adjacent territories to hardy plants. Skillfully using varieties of geraniums that have proven themselves well in a temperate climate, you can decorate the terrain without much trouble. Plants can please owners with long flowering and juicy greens. Given the features of the site, its size and shading, it is easy to choose options that justify the expectations placed on them.

Owners should take a closer look at the available varieties of geraniums on the site, which in time will show the best qualities and will "register" in comfortable conditions for them.

Winning varieties of geranium for the landscape

Everyone knows the Geranium pratense, or else the meadow geranium, is now a frequent visitor to the flower beds. This species was not in demand before, but now everything has changed. Fans of unpretentious plants know what geranium varieties have. With photos and names of the most popular varieties, we will introduce you today, and you will be able to choose an interesting combination of green pets to your liking. Competently chosen options allow you to transform the territory, attract the eyes and admire even the most sophisticated landscape designers. For the background, as a rule, use a strong and tall variety of Summer Skies, noteworthy pinkish with lavender shades of terry flowers. Demand is also high with the original carved leaves Splish-Splash, but after flowering it is recommended to trim the bush, so as not to detract from the beauty of new shoots. Striking with the charm of Plenum Violaceum with dark blue baskets, casting a purple hue. And although terry flowers are small, it does not spoil the general impression. But such a variety as Double Jewel, special enthusiasm for the flower growers does not cause because of the nondescript colors and huge size of the collapsing bush for the second year.

Of the shade-loving options, Mrs Kendall Clark (for the completed site type) is ideal. This abundantly flowering plant of short stature (no more than 40 cm) captivates with bright blue petals, permeated with delicate white veins. And lovers of white colors attracted by their long flowering half-marble variety - elegant Laura.

Red-leaf meadow geranium will become a worthy decoration of terraces and flower beds. These options will look good in the foreground. The purple shade of the leaves of Midnight Reiter and Purple Heron will bring a zest to the flower garden. The carved dark greenery and compact root system of Hocus Pocus, Black Beauty, Okey Dokey will surely come to court. And purple stains on the leaves of Midnight Clouds and tender pink flowers will be a winning touch when forming the territory.

Geranium macrorrhizum is a large-grained geranium, worthy of admiration, because it perfectly suits in the shade and under the scorching sun, growing and adapting in any corner of the garden plot.

Legends and amazing facts about geraniums

The plant is customary for every floriculturist to be due to the breeder from England, George Tradescuana, who was fascinated with the process of his breeding. And with the birth of each new variety gave him the original name, which was associated with an angel or a butterfly. Created by him varieties of geraniums struck not only beauty, but also healing properties. So, the Royal variety was named because the plant saved the monarch from insomnia. There are legends connected with geraniums, which have reached our times.

1. The Eastern legend says that in ancient times a prophet Mohammed, who came down from the mountains, hung wet clothes to a weed that attracted no people. The plant spread the fabric, so that the cape dried out quickly under the sun's rays. For this the prophet adorned the bush with marvelous flowers, exuding the most delicate scent.
2. The legend of the crane, fought off from the pack and fallen from impotence in the field under the freezing rain, causes pity. Quietly frozen in solitude, the bird was covered with falling snow. Saying goodbye to life, the crane dropped a tear. On that place in the spring a wondrous plant grew up with flowers resembling a heavenly azure, which the bird yearned for.
3. In Germany, they talked about a shoemaker who liked to drink and found a wonderful plant after one more stroll on the road. When he presented the flower to his wife, she, having inhaled his scent, changed her mind about scandal because of her husband's addiction to beer. She planted the flower in the water, and when the roots appeared, it was transplanted into a pot, after which peace, tranquility and love settled in the house, and the spouse stopped abusing alcohol.
4. According to the Slavic belief, the petals of geranium attract the attention of the lover. They were sewn into a canvas bag and carried with them.
5. In the East, it is customary to put vases with white geraniums at the entrance to the house in order to scare away the snakes.

Meet closer - gorgeous geranium! Varieties and varieties

Not only in the garden areas you can find a beautiful flower. A worthy decoration of the windowsills for many centuries is geranium, a variety of which the flower growers are stumped, because their eyes run from their diversity. Breeders brought out new varieties, differing in shape, color of inflorescences and leaves. Indoor geranium is classified into several groups:

• Zonal;
• Ampel (ivy-leaved);
• Fragrant;
• Royal;
• Succulent.
• In order not to make a mistake in choosing, it is necessary to carefully study the varieties of geranium room. Photos and names will help determine the future owners.

The most common is zonal geranium. This plant with a straight trunk and wavy leaves blooms profusely throughout the year, bringing joy to household members. Buds can be simple, collected in five, semi-double - up to eight and double - over eight petals. What does zonal geranium species and varieties have? Photos (room beauty is presented on them in all its splendor), used in the article, show different options. The most popular among the people:

• Bracco Pastel is an unremarkable variety with abundant flowering. This species has a flower with white petals and a pink center.
• The richly red Rumba Fire refers to non-quartz and pleases the owner with spreading ruby flower caps.
• Angelic pink geranium in appearance resembles a pansy.
• Rosebud red surprises with the similarity of its flowers with the buds of roses.
• Royal salmon has large inflorescences, the middle of which is dark.

And how do you like this kind of geranium? Tulip-shaped

Among the huge assortment of flowers there is a kind that reminds of Holland. The beginning gardener asks the question: "What other geranium species and varieties does it have?" Photos (room beauty, depicted on them, amazes with luxuriant flowering) of these flowers attract the admired gazes of lovers of ornamental plants. One of the chic options relating to zonal varieties is the original geranium, which has buds that look like tulips. Petals in an amount of 6-9 pieces. Until the end is not disclosed. Breeders from America gave the world in 1966 this variety, which was obtained by mutating the geraniums of Fiat. Of particular value are species that have a large number of undecayed buds and bloom bunches of bunches. They grow bush, so they require the attention of the owner, who must correctly form the crown. The stem is cut after rooting to achieve beauty and the desired result. The elegance of this variety attracts people who are keen on their favorite business, who, if desired, grow real masterpieces. Especially popular with connoisseurs of beauty is the tulip geranium, whose varieties strike the imagination in the form of flowers. It's Happy Happy and Patricia Andre, Red Pandora and Koni, Victoria Andre and Maria-Louise.

Fragrant species

The popularity of geraniums is great, which is explained not only by the magnificence of flowers, but also by the delicate aroma that the plant exudes. Fluffy geranium creates a favorable climate in the room, contributing to the purification of air. The aroma of leaves is in demand in the perfume and food industries, it is actively used in the preparation of mixtures for tea compositions. A fragrant variety of geranium room, photo of which is familiar to fans of this plant, is grown on the windowsills not for the sake of flowers, but for the carved beautiful foliage used by the florists for the background. Also in medicine, a positive effect of the plant's aroma is noted, which:

• Has antibacterial effect;
• Helps with migraines;
• Helps protect the body in viral diseases;
• It is effective in swelling in obese people;
• Saving for hypertensive crises.

Experienced housewives strive to install a pot of such geraniums in every room, because the smell repels insects (flies, moths, mosquitoes). After rubbing the leaves, you can smell the mint, fresh apple, rose or lemon. Varieties:

• Chocolate Peppermint (or Felt Geranium) is a low-growing plant with hanging shoots, velvety leaves, in the center of which there is a chocolate stain that exudes the aroma of mint. On flower petals of pinkish color there are purple feathers.
• Cy's Sunburst, or Curled geranium, which has a shallow, corrugated paper-like variegated green foliage with a golden border, which has the smell of lemon.
• Attar of Roses, or Golovchataya - grows up to 45 cm, has large leaves that give off a rich aroma of rose. The flowers are light with a purple tint and a burgundy center.
• Ffragrans - geranium, which has the smell of nutmeg. Despite the unpretentiousness of the plant, flower growers have to make some efforts to grow a beautiful geranium at home.

Varieties (with photos and names), care and features of cultivation - these are the main points that are interesting for novice flower growers-lovers. The widest range will allow an inexperienced hostess to acquire in the house such a plant-amulet. The case for small - learn how to care for a green pet.

Features of cultivation and care: temperature, reproduction

In summer, geranium feels comfortable at a temperature of +20 ... +28 ° C, and + 30 ° C for it is not critical. In the winter, when the plant does not bloom, it is enough 11-15 ° C, but it is undesirable to allow drops of up to 8 ° C or more.

Propagated geranium cuttings and seeds. An adult plant with a coarse stem should be rejuvenated. The apical stem with five leaves is cut just below the node at a slight angle. After processing the dried section with humate or charcoal, the process is placed in a container with soil (a mixture of equal parts of turf, sand and peat). Regularly sprayed soil, which after three weeks rooted cuttings, which are then transplanted into pots. Young plants (irrespective of the variety of geranium), care for which is correct, please after seven months the first flowers.

Seeds are planted in moistened soil, preventing the drying of the earthy coma. The temperature is maintained at +22 ... +24 ° C. After 14 days, the first shoots appear. Pixoning of seedlings is recommended in pots with a diameter of up to 9 cm.

Lighting

Today, any hostess without any special effort will grow geranium, the varieties of which do not differ capricious temper. The rooms are suitable for rooms with good and moderate lighting. It feels comfortable on any windowsill on long summer days, and in winter it is preferable to place it on southern windows. To harden with drafts or leave under the scorching sun the plant is not recommended. The photophilous flower, placed in the shadow, has small leaves, thin stems and is unlikely to blossom.

We care properly: watering, air humidity, top dressing

Geranium prefers fresh air and moderate humidity. She is not afraid of dry or wet air. The plant does not require spraying. In the summer, you need abundant watering, but do not overdo it, so it's better to drain the water from the pan. In winter, it is not worth pouring a flower, it is necessary to make sure that the earth clod is not over-dried, and excessive humidity will cause decay of the roots. For irrigation, it is recommended to use rainwater, melt or stagnant water.

The plant needs a universal soil mixture (deciduous soil or humus, turf, river sand). For fertilizing, you should use fertilizers containing nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus (for luxuriant flowering), with the addition of trace elements of iron, magnesium, boron, copper, manganese, calcium and zinc, which inhibit decay of the root system. In winter, green pets need to be fed once a month, and in the spring-summer period - in two weeks.

In autumn, plants are pruned each year, removing yellowed leaves, leaving only a few knots on the shoots. Cuts sprinkled with wood or activated charcoal.

Pests

Like any plant, geranium has pests that can affect the external state of the flower. Among them, the whitefly, which settles on the reverse side of the leaves, where it quickly multiplies, eating the juice of the plant. Small moths deplete the plant. When uninvited guests are detected, spraying the flower crown with insecticides is required. On the leaves of geranium, small insects of greenish-gray color also settle on the underside. It is aphids feeding on plant juices, which leads to the appearance of small spots and wilting of the flower. Get rid of such a parasite is the same as the whitefly. With proper care, the flower will give joy to the owners for many years.

So, let's summarize the results. We discussed what kinds of geraniums there are. Photos, room beauty on which is represented in all its diversity, show that it is worthy to decorate any room: a house, an apartment, an office, a children's establishment, a terrace of a cafe or a cottage area. Pick up a couple of species, you will see - you will not regret!