- Geraniums
Botanical name: pelargonium zonale
Beginner friendly?: yes
Average size at maturity: up to 3 ft in height and in width
Bloom time: spring and summer
Hardy zone: zones 9-11
Flower color: white, red, pink, purple
Foliage color: green
Growth rate: can grow a few feet in a single growing season
Pruning instructions: trim to contain growth as needed
Propagation methods: cut a stem just below a node and place in water until roots start to emerge
Landscape use: borders and color editions to mixed beds
Light needs: 5-6 hours of sunlight a day
Special features: sweet aroma
Watering instructions: water when the top inch of soil has dried from the last watering
Fertilizing instructions : use a high in phosphorus fertilizer once before new blooms new blooms begin to emerge and again when the plant has stopped flowering
Best time to plant: spring
Best type of soil: loam, sand
Companion plants: ferns, alyssum, phlox
Toxicity level: mildly toxic if ingested
Invasive species: no