Fancy Foliage Pelargoniums
Fancy Foliage Pelargonium
Pelargoniums, commonly referred to as geraniums (which are actually different plants), are evergreen, small to medium sized, herbaceous perennials much loved for their nonstop kaleidoscope of beautiful, showy flowers. We are especially excited about the amazing foliage displays of select varieties and are discussing them in this feature. Their foliage colors range from chartreuse, smokey black, bronze, rusty red and include intriguing bi-colors. Their flowers range in colors of white, pink, red, purple and orange, all of which attract hummingbirds and pollinators. They are outstanding used in mass plantings, border edging, as accents, and in containers or hanging baskets. They are native to South Africa and Australia and have been cultivated since the 1600s, although there is some evidence of use dating back to ancient Greece and Egypt. There are over 280 Pelargonium species and countless cultivars.
Culture: Plant in sun to part shade in rich, well-drained soil. They are drought and heat tolerant but prefer regular summer water. Remove spent flower clusters to prolong bloom and fertilize monthly during the growing season. Protect when there is the threat of frost as pelargoniums are tender and frost sensitive. Pinch back stems to encourage bushiness. Aphids and mealybugs can be troublesome; if detected, treat with an insecticidal soap or neem oil.
‘Occoid Shield’
• 18” x 18” Rounded growth habit with brilliant chartreuse leaves with a broad, central, maroon zone. Clusters of semi-double orange flowers bloom spring through summer.
‘Mrs. Pollock’
• 18” x 18” Rounded growth habit with thick fleshy, rusty red leaves edged with chartreuse. Clusters of 5 petaled, bright orange flowers bloom in summer.
‘Black Velvet Appleblossom’
• 10-14” x 14-18”: Upright mounding smoky-black to chocolate edged w/ crisp green and soft pink flowers.
‘Willhelm Langguth’
• 12-18” x 18” Green with purple markings, edged in white with large clusters of showy cherry red flowers.
‘Brocade Fire’
• 12-14” x 18”: Mounding habit of dark bronze foliage edged with green margins with clusters of large, semi-double flaming orange blooms.
‘Vancouver Bicentenial’
•12-14” x 12-14” Lime green to chartreuse leaves are accented with Bronze toward the centers. Open clusters of small frilled star shaped orange-ref flowers.