Forever Fresh

Grandma’s favorite flower is making a splashy comeback

Geraniums in America are annuals popular in summer window boxes and whiskey barrels, although botanical purists refer to the plants by their true name, pelargoniums. In any case, “pretty pellies,” as the Brits like to call them, are popping into favor once more.

—Alejandro Saralegui

1. RED GERANIUM (Pelargonium ‘Calliope Large Red’)

Height: 16 to 20 inches

With regular deadheading, this classic pushes out blooms all summer until the first frost. Leaning toward something less showy? Remove all the flowers on Monday, and by Friday you’ll have the perfect balance of red and green.

2. AFRICAN OR CAPE GERANIUM (Pelargonium sidoides)

Height: 10 inches

This delicate beauty features burgundycolored flowers with gray leaves no larger than a quarter. Extracts from the root are said to reduce symptoms of the common cold, bronchitis, and dysentery.

3. CAPE GERANIUM (Pelargonium ‘Crystal Palace Gem’)

Height: 12 to 24 inches

Introduced in 1869, this geranium’s variegated foliage and single scarlet-orange flowers will brighten up a shady corner, although it does require some sun.

4. ROSE-SCENTED

GERANIUM (Pelargonium graveolens)

Height: 3 feet

Used for centuries to make rose geranium oil, this fragrant pellie is worth keeping indoors over the winter. Also check out its cousin, P. tomentosum, laden with a refreshing peppermint scent.

5. MARTHA WASHINGTON GERANIUM (Pelargonium x domesticum ‘Martha Washington’)

Height: 1 to 3 feet

More suitable as a houseplant, this hybrid geranium produces crimson and blush-pink flowers that don’t last long, although they sure are pretty.

6. AMETHYST IVY GERANIUM (Pelargonium peltatum

‘Royal Amethyst’)

Height: 10 to 12 inches

This trailing geranium evokes the whitewashed buildings of Andalusia, flush with flowerstudded vines dripping from balconies. And it can handle the boiling summer sun, too.

7. MRS. COX GERANIUM (Pelargonium ‘Mrs. Henry Cox’)

This Technicolor standout comprises salmon pink flowers and triple-toned leaves. It was first developed in 1879 by a certain Mr. Henry Cox, who apparently never married. Yet another Victorian-era mystery!

8. AMERICANA WHITE GERANIUM (Pelargonium zonale ‘Americana White’)

Height: 14 to 16 inches

Sort of like a whiff of Coco Chanel crossed with Russell Page, this white variety is the quintessence of elegance, ideal for a moon garden or in big pots around a sparkling blue pool.

Tips

• Deadhead geraniums often and don’t use clippers, as they can leave unsightly stubs. Most varieties produce flower stems that can be easily snapped off with your fingers.

• Geraniums, which originated in South Africa, like to be on the dry side, but not bone-dry.

• Apply fish emulsion or a liquid organic flower fertilizer regularly.

• Many geraniums root easily in water or Perlite with rooting hormone.

• For overwintering, repot geraniums in clay pots and bring them to a sunny spot indoors before the first frost.