A Note on the Difference between Geraniums and Pelargoniums
These are confused all the time. What you know to be Geraniums are probably Pelargoniums. And it has been a fascinating journey out of the darkness for me!
The physical distinction can be hard to spot as the details are in the number of petals.
Geraniums
- Flowers have five similar petals
- Considered perennials that come back year after year.
- Bloom, Dormancy, Bloom, Dormancy > and Repeat.
- To ease confusion, they are sometimes called 'Hardy Geraniums'.
Pelargonium
- Flowers have two upper petals which are different from the three lower petals
- Annuals (can be semi hardy in some climates but in general are sold for one seasons use)
- Bloom, The End.
- To ease confusion, they are sometimes called 'Tender Geraniums'.
Learn more about Hardy Geraniums and how to garden with them:
FR:
Comment jardiner avec les Becs de Grue
ENG:
The Guardian: Gardening tips: plant hardy geraniums
5 Secrets for Hardy Geraniums That Will Bloom All Summer Long
Everything You Need to Know About Geraniums
Floral Morphology: Geranium Dreamland
The flowers of Geranium Dreamland are solitary or in loose clusters, 2–4 cm across, with five softly colored petals, ranging from pale pink to lavender with subtle veining.
Sepals are persistent, and the stamens are arranged around a single pistil, forming the signature crane-beak fruit after flowering.
Leaves are palmately lobed, finely cut, and medium green, often providing a striking contrast with the delicate pastel flowers.
When handled, the foliage emits a mild herbal scent, adding tactile and aromatic interest to the garden.
Reproductive Biology
Geranium Dreamland is hermaphroditic, capable of both self-pollination and cross-pollination, though insects such as bees and hoverflies are the primary pollinators.
Flowers bloom from late spring into early summer, and deadheading can extend the flowering period slightly.
Fruits are schizocarps that split into five segments, each containing a seed adapted for ballistic dispersal.
The combination of bright flowers and attractive foliage makes Geranium Dreamland ecologically valuable, supporting pollinators and adding color and structure to perennial plantings.