Many gardeners love the Geraniums sold in every garden center. If this is your favorite flower, do you know its proper name? This question haunts the horticultural world. It may be difficult to know just what plant is really being discussed when a gardener asks for a "geranium" plant. If you ask me for a “geranium” plant, I will show you a “hardy geranium”. This plant genus grows in USDA zones 3-8. These plants have 10 fertile stamens and the flower petals are regular in shape. They are shade tolerant plants.
Are you looking at this plant and saying, “but that’s not a geranium?” Chances are you really want one of the succulent Pelargoniums, a genus in the Geraniaceae family with succulent stems, leaves, and brilliantly colored flowers. Pelargoniums have irregular shaped petals and as many as 7 out of 10 stamens are infertile. Pelargonium species are restricted to southern Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and some southern islands. They live in dry, arid climates. Most species are succulents.

Within the “Pelargonium” genus, we have several species. Visit the International Geranium Society website to learn more about the 5 genera (plural of genus) of plants found in the geranium society and their species. This website appears to be based in Britain. It has significant information about the entire Geranium family. May I strongly encourage you to visit these sites or search the internet yourself for the newest websites on this plant family?

The next article will focus just on the group of Pelargoniums commonly referred to as “scented geraniums” because their leaves have oil glands that emit various types of scents. These plants originated in southern Africa and have less showy flowers than the Pelargoniums found in every porch box. May I encourage you to study the next group of articles and, perhaps, add one or two “scented geraniums” to your garden this summer?