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Home > Plant profiles > Geranium
Geranium
 Botanical name: Geranium robustum ‘Silver sky’.
Common names: Cranesbill.
History: The family Geraniaceae consists of Geranium, Erodium, Pelargonium, Monsonia and Sarcocaulon. Confusion has arisen by both Pelargonium and Geraniaceae being referred to as Geraniums. It was not until 1789 that L`Heritiers`s work published in William Aiton`s ‘Hortus Kewensis’ moved the botanical world forward into accepting that they were separate genera. Nothing subsequently has changed the public attitude so that the more popular Pelargoniums remain known as Geraniums.
Origin: Southern Africa although Geraniums are distributed throughout the world’s temperate regions.
Name: Geraniums common name Cranesbill is derived from the Greek geranos, referring to the shape of the seed, which resembles a crane`s bill.
Comments: Geraniums are one of the most reliable plants grown in the home garden.
This plant makes a beautiful ground cover as it produces sprawling flower shoots, covered with finely cut leaves with a silver underside. Once mature very few weeds will break through the cover formed by this Geranium. They make the most beautiful free style covers and front of border fillers. The trailing stems look very effective growing through shrubs, large perennials or over banks and walls. All Geraniums will take some shade, particularly in the afternoon though this South African Geranium is one of the most sun tolerant and only needs protection in the hottest summers.
Tips: Though not at all invasive, the free growing habit of this plant will lend itself better to a less formal border where it will make an impressive spectacle of itself without impinging on its smaller elbowed neighbours. Pest problems are minimal however to reduce chances of problems ensure that at planting they are sufficiently spaced. Robustum is one of the few Geraniums that can be propagated by cutting and rooting a vigorous terminal or lateral shoot from the parent plant in autumn.
Contacts:
Australian Pelargonium & Geranium Society:
Victorian Branch
Mr. Eddie Wallace,
121 Broadgully Road,
Diamond Creek,
Vic. 3089
(03) 9438-3628
www.pelargoniumsandgeraniums.net
The International Geranium Society
IGS Membership
Dept. WWW
PO Box 92734
Pasadena, CA 91109-2734
www.geocities.com/RainForest/2822/
Family: Geraniaceae.
Plant type: Herbaceous Perennial.
Size (HxW): 70cm x 80cm.
Depth and spacing: Plant to the same depth as in the pot and 80cm apart.
Watering: Water the plant well whilst it is actively growing. A little and often is not recommended but a good soak once a week.
Frost tolerances: Hardy.
Flowering time: Late summer/ autumn.
Soil:A soil with a pH of 6.5 – 7 best suits geraniums.
Aspect: Full sun to part shade.
Climate: Cool to temperate.
Pruning: Every autumn.
Fertiliser: A complete fertiliser applied annually in spring.
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