The Geranium Family
Geraniums are not the plants that people normally think of. The plants most people think of as 'geraniums' are actually pelargoniums.
Geraniums have been referred to as 'hardy geraniums'. These plants are usually found planted in the garden or rockery and not in containers. They come back year and year. The newer varieties have longer blooming periods and some will bloom from spring until first frost.
'Geraniums' come in a variety of colours - most often pink, blue and white. Their flowers are not as showy as their cousins, the 'Pelargoniums'. They are a staple in any garden, being easy to care for, dependable as well as lovely.
The Geraniaceae Five
There are five family members. The identification of the varieties has taken time - about 200 years or so.
Geraniums
The name comes from the Greek word 'ceranos', meaning crane. These plants are often referred to as 'cranesbill' because their seed pods resemble the beak of a crane.
Geraniums are hardy perennials and a staple in many herbaceous border and garden. They bloom in the summer and their foliage remains fresh and vibrant throughout the hot summer months when some of their neighbour may be looking a little tired.
Within this group are a number of varieties ranging from the very tall, to the very small, compact mounds to sprawling stems wandering through their surroundings. Most prefer open, well-drained soil but they tolerate a wide range of conditions otherwise. Propagation depends of the variety and could be from seed, cuttings or root divisions.
Erodiums
The name comes from the Greek word 'erodius' meaning 'heron'. The seed pod of the erodiums resembles the beak of a heron which is why these varieties were referred to as 'heronsbill'.
There are about 60 species found in the temperate areas of the world. They are more tender than the geraniums requiring protection from frost and heavy rains and are best kept in a cold greenhouse or cold frame during the winter. They prefer sunny, well-drained sandy soil.
Pelargoniums
This family member is the one that most people are familiar with. There are about 250 species that grow in the sub-tropical areas of the world with the majority originating from the Cape region of South Africa.
The name comes from the Greek word 'pelargos' meaning a stork and there was a time these were referred to as 'storksbills'. There does seem to be a theme emerging here.
The best known variety are the 'zonals' (Pelargonium hortorum) which come in a large variety of colours, sizes, flower and leaf shape.
The showiest ones are the regals (Pelargonium domesticum). These are referred to as "Martha Washingtons" in the US.
The third member comprises of angels, uniques and scented leaf varieties (Pelargonium peltatum) which are often found in baskets and windowboxes
Monsonias
This group has about 50 species which are usually collected by botanists and specialist plant collectors. They need a warm greenhouse and good light.
It is their beak-like fruits that quality the for inclusion in the geraniaceae family and they were named by the botanist Linnacus after Lady Anne Monson.
The leaves a nd stems are thin and covered by small hairs. Flowers tend to grow singly and last only for a short time - as little as 24 hours on some species, but the seed pods are very interesting.
Sarcosaulens
The last group is the smallest with only about 15 species. They are not much to look at and are not widely grown. They have fleshy firm stems with small kidney shaped leaves which soon become short, sharp spines to protect them from grazing animals. When mature, the woody stems which contain a resin and waxy coating will burn like a torch - hence its local name of 'bushmen's candles'.