Flea Market Gardener’s guide to Geraniums…

Do you love geraniums?  They are ‘Mom’s favorites,’ easy to grow and the stuff of flower carts, window boxes and vacations in sunny European climates.  They are certainly an All-American standby for hanging baskets, our Flea Market and junky containers or as bedding plants. Find out ALL about all the different kinds and how to grow them….our style!

Jeanne Sammons geranium quilt

Jeanne Sammons says, “Yesterday while out on a flower shopping spree, I snapped some pictures at a wonderful quilt shop called ‘Merry’s Stitchins’ …. just look at this geranium plant!  Terracotta pot and all … sweet! (How does one end up in a quilt shop while flower shopping? Well, don’t ask!)”

“You shared some great tips ideas last week for geraniums… thank you! Enjoy this classic Summer flower!” ~~ Jeanne

Just Enough Antique’s signature reds

Daphne Ross from Just Enough Antiques says, “I LOVE this quilt! Red geraniums are my signature flower for Spring and Summer!

Bright geraniums stuck in all sorts of things from Just Enough Antiques

How to grow Geraniums??

1. Plant
2. Water
3. Fertilize
4. Pinch
5. Enjoy!

Becky Norris’s red geraniums

Becky Norris’s classic Red Geraniums and ‘purpley-blue’ Million Bells

Geraniums need regular planter mix and love water so make sure they’re handy to the hose.  They can be grown in our favorite junktique containers or in the ground.  The only care they need is to have the old flowers pinched off. The more you pinch, the more they bloom,…ALL Summer!

Sue Langley’s Arctic Red ivy geranium

In Fall when the flowers fade for the last time, trim the foliage down to five inches and store in the shed or in mild climates with winter temps down to 20º, pull under the eaves of the house.

Pinching Martha Washington geranium blooms

To multiply your geraniums, take cuttings of a good healthy stem with a few leaves, push gently into a container with potting mix and water well. They will grow! You can share with friends this way, too.

 Using geraniums in the garden

An ‘all summer’ geraniums have filled this trough for years, centered on my patio table. ~~ Sue

Luci Blake’s geranium and lobelia

Sandy Mitchell’s window box idea

Sandy Mitchell says, “My geraniums have just been planted for a few days. I hope this combo turns out like I see it in my mind.”

Kirk Willis’s blue canister vacuum

Donna McGinnis My gardening buddy ‘guards’ my rambling geraniums

An old farm tool box from Jeanie Merritt

Jeanie Merritt’s old farm tool box for a tractor…. red geraniums and lobelia…

Geraniums say ‘Vacation’ in a sunny European climate

Geraniums fill blue buckets

The ‘Other’ Geranium

Since garden geraniums we see often are actually Pelargoniums, what about the other true geranium? This ‘true’ Geranium sanguineum is a terrific low growing bloomer that can cover the ground in purple, pink or white flowers in Spring.

Geranium ‘Rozanne’

Called the Hardy Geranium or Cranesbill, it is truly hardy, dying back in cold winter areas and popping back up each Spring in a cloud of colorful foliage.

Geranium sanguineum ‘Johnson’s Blue

Look for reliable ‘Johnson’s Blue,’ the coveted ‘Rozanne’ or the pink ‘Biokovo.’

Geranium ‘Biokovo’

 Still, more geraniums…

Ivy Geraniums have a different viney leaf pattern.  Great for hanging baskets

Ivy Geranium – Freestyle. Arctic Red Pelargonium

Scented geraniums are grown mostly for their fragrant leaves.  Look for rose, lemon, orange and mint varieties.  Use the leaves to flavor sugar in a jar, flavor a pound cake or make potpourri.

Scented geranium leaf varieties

Martha Washington geraniums, belie the name and are anything but staid and puritan.  Exotic and frilly and gorgeous, these blooms are perfect for vases,…you’d never know that they are as common and easy to grow as plain geraniums!

Martha Washington geraniums

Fancy-leafed geraniums are bred for their multi-colored fancy leaves.  The bonus is, …they still have big beautiful flowers! Try ‘Tricolor,’ ‘Turkish Delight,’ ‘Vancouver Centennial’ and ‘Annsbrook Hope.’

Fancy-leaved Geraniums

Jeanne says, “If you wish to see more of Merry’s Stitchins, here’s here webpage.