Plants
Geranium
Pelargonium · Geraniaceae (Storchschnabelgewächse)
Few plants shape a Düsseldorf balcony in summer like the geranium. It blooms tirelessly from May into October, tolerates sun and heat and even forgives the occasional missed watering. We deliberately supply our customers with well-rooted, properly hardened young plants so the wealth of flowers lasts as long as possible.
- Light
- Bright and sunny: ideally several hours of direct sun a day, for example on south- or west-facing balconies.
- Watering
- Keep evenly moist without waterlogging: water moderately but more often. Daily in heat waves, only sparingly in winter quarters.
- Care level
- Easy
- Botanical
- Pelargonium
Botanically we mainly trade two types: the upright or zonal geranium (Pelargonium zonale) with bushy, upright growth, and the trailing geranium (Pelargonium peltatum) with long, cascading shoots for window boxes and hanging baskets. Added to these are the large-flowered regal geraniums (Pelargonium grandiflorum) for pots and the aromatic scented geraniums whose leaves release notes of rose, lemon or mint when touched.
In floristry and plant retail the geranium is a reliable continuous bloomer. Unlike cut flowers it accompanies you through the whole summer and is therefore the backbone of any balcony and terrace planting. We like to combine it with petunias, million bells, creeping zinnia or verbena into ready-planted bowls that show their full effect straight away.
Quality in geraniums shows in compact, sturdy growth, dark green foliage without yellowing leaves and plenty of buds rather than a few open flowers. Such plants carry their flowering well into autumn. Weak, leggy stock from dark sales shelves, by contrast, soon struggles. When buying we make sure to offer only well-hardened, light-accustomed plants.
Stylistically the geranium ranges from a classic country cottage-garden look with strong red to modern, monochrome plantings in white or soft salmon. Pastel tones feel restrained and elegant, while vivid reds and pinks bring Mediterranean summer flair to a house wall. Anyone preferring a quieter look turns to scented geraniums, which work more through their foliage than their flowers.
Care
- 01Choose a bright, sunny spot: geraniums flower best with several hours of direct sun each day.
- 02Keep evenly moist but strictly avoid waterlogging: water moderately and more often rather than seldom and heavily.
- 03Feed regularly with a flowering-plant fertiliser from May to August so bud formation does not stall.
- 04Deadhead spent flowers and remove yellow leaves regularly: this encourages new buds and prevents rot.
- 05Not frost-hardy: before the first frost move it to a bright, cool winter spot (around 5 to 10 degrees) and cut it back.
Frequently asked
- Are geraniums toxic to cats and dogs?
- Yes. According to plant-poison centres, pelargoniums are considered toxic to cats, dogs and horses. The responsible agents are the essential compounds geraniol and linalool, present in all parts of the plant. Ingested plant parts can cause vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy and, on skin contact, irritation. In households with nibbling pets, geraniums should therefore be kept out of reach.
- How long do geraniums flower?
- In a good spot and with regular care, geraniums flower almost continuously from May into October. Deadheading spent blooms and feeding during the main season noticeably extends flowering. Robust, well-rooted plants often keep going until the first frost.
- Can geraniums be overwintered?
- Yes, geraniums are perennial but not frost-hardy. Before the first frost, move them to a bright, cool place at around 5 to 10 degrees, cut them back by about half and water only sparingly. In spring they shoot vigorously again after a trim.
- What is the difference between geranium and cranesbill?
- Colloquially both are called geranium, but botanically they are two genera in the same family: the balcony geranium is a pelargonium (Pelargonium), while the hardy cranesbill belongs to the genus Geranium. The pelargonium is not frost-hardy and is considered toxic to pets, whereas the true cranesbill is hardy and non-toxic.