Perennial garden geranium: photos, varieties - ground cover, undersized, Black Beauty, as well as the features of their cultivation and reproduction

Garden geranium is a real find for summer residents and homeowners. High vitality, unpretentiousness, excellent adaptation to weather conditions and ease of cultivation are the main advantages of the plant. And unusual and delicate inflorescences form the additional popularity of geranium varieties.

On garden plots and flower beds you can find just a huge number of different flowering plants. Many of them are more familiar to us in the image of potted indoor flowers, but often these crops can be grown without problems in open ground.

Brief Botanical Description

This is a small grassy shrub that adorns the site until the first autumn cold weather. The plant belongs to perennial or annual ornamental crops. Today, breeders have bred more than 280 subspecies of garden geraniums. Culture is of particular value because of the ability to form a compact and dense bush, decorated with delicate leaves. The color of inflorescences in this case is striking in variety (all shades are presented, except for yellow). The size of the flowers depends on the particular variety, the average diameter is 3-5 cm.

REFERENCE! What is the difference between geranium and pelargonium? These plants are often confused even in literary sources. Pelargonium is intended for cultivation in apartments and summer gardens, in winter it requires special care. Geranium grows in open areas and in gardens, tolerates cold and does not need shelter for the winter.

Types of plants: names, description and photo

The shade, height and flowering time depend on the particular plant variety. The rules of care, planting and breeding for all subspecies are almost identical. What species, except for many years, exist - we will consider in the photo.

Perennial

The difference between the species is dense and compact bushes, openwork leaves. The flowers of this garden beauty reach 4 cm in diameter, totaling 5 petals. Soft fibers are present on the foliage. The flowering period begins in July, lasts up to 2 months. Reproduction occurs by dividing parts of the rhizome. An alternative is seed cultivation.

Among the main advantages of the species:

resistance to drought;
vitality;
disease resistance.

The presented variety is a true long-liver: in one place it can bloom up to 10-15 years.

Read more about perennial garden geraniums, planting and care here.

Ground cover

Groundcover is distinguished by the strength, tenacity and length of the rhizome: for a short period of time, geraniums can cover a large area of the site (form a dense bright carpet). The flowers are a bright reddish hue or purple.

The size of the inflorescences is average: not more than 3 cm in diameter. The height of the bush is up to 30 cm. Flowering begins in June, seeds ripen in August. The subspecies is stable and undemanding in care. The plant goes well with other flowers on the site, has a compact bush and catchy, noticeable inflorescences.

You can read more about the representative of ground cover geranium, namely blood red, here.

Undersized

Features - the stalk is strong and well branched, leaves begin to grow from the root itself. The rhizome is thick, has the ability to grow rapidly. The shape of the foliage resembles roundness, on the surface there are soft fibers (pubescent). The diameter of flower baskets is 5 cm. The flowers are distinguished by brightness and a combination of several shades. The plant has a pronounced pleasant aroma. This is a decorative look that fits favorably with any flower bed and any landscape design.

Black Beauty

The natural habitat is thermophilic and humid areas (European part of Russia, Western Europe). A distinctive feature of the species is the spherical shape of the bush and a dark saturated shade of inflorescences. The size of the flowers reaches 4 cm. The flowering period continues until the beginning of September. The leaves are rounded, slightly dissected towards the end. Color is light green. The variety will fit perfectly and diversify the design on the site.

The most important thing to know when growing

When growing garden geraniums it is important to choose the right place for landing - This is the first and most important stage. Some varieties prefer sunny and windy areas, while others prefer moist and darkened soil. The subspecies of black beauty will feel good in the shade, and the perennial garden - in a sunny place. In the shade, active flowering will be shown by ground cover geranium.

In order for the bush to be strong, and flowering to be lush and vibrant, it is important to buy high-quality material for planting (earth mixes).

Basic care rules

The soil should be light, allow air and moisture to pass through well (fertility indicators are important for the plant).
Regular moisturizing. In the first days after planting, constant and plentiful watering is required, later the frequency is reduced. The exception is prolonged heat and drought. Failure to comply with the rule (excess moisture) leads to the development of diseases.
Moderation of dressing. The best option is complex mineral supplements.
The main rule of care is the timely removal of faded buds (so that new inflorescences bloom without problems).
When planting a ground cover species, the need for frequent mulching and loosening of the soil disappears.
When choosing a site, it is important to consider the property of the root to grow: it is advisable to leave a distance of 20-30 cm between the bushes.Attention. Remember that garden perennial varieties do not tolerate transplanting, and the large distance between them will allow them to grow for a long time without transplants.
Perennial species do not require shelter for the winter (they can tolerate cold).

The nuances of reproduction: what to remember?

Today summer residents know 3 main ways by which it is possible propagation of garden geraniums is the division of rhizomes and growing from shoots or seeds. The latter method is laborious and not always the expected result.

Among other shortcomings is the difficulty in collecting planting material (seed boxes burst, seeds scatter throughout the site). Using the seed method, a new plant will not retain all the characteristics and qualities of the main bush. Flowering of geranium obtained from seeds occurs the next year from the moment of planting.

For the method of propagation by division of the rhizome, only young plants are suitable. The bush should have developed kidneys, and obsolete parts must be cut off. The optimal period for the procedure is early spring (geranium has not yet grown) or September (flowering has stopped).

How to spend?

Digging geraniums with a large lump of earth. The root should not be affected.
Gently shake the ground.
Check the growth buds for rot or drying.
Divide the root with a sharp knife into several parts.
Land the received parts in prepared pits.

Another option is with the help of cuttings. The disadvantage of this method is that not all varieties of garden geraniums are suitable for such propagation. But if the subspecies has such properties, you need to cut a small process with leaves from the bush (length up to 7 cm).

Next, you need to place it in a glass of water and wait for the formation of root threads or just treat it with a growth activator. Then plant the shoot in the ground and cover with a film.

Important. The procedure should be carried out in a warm, but not hot season (spring or autumn).

Garden geranium is a beautiful and common plant. Subject to simple rules of care, this species will become a real decoration of the site. Lush inflorescences, bright colors and a relatively long flowering period are the main advantages of planting a garden beauty.