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Pelargonium crispum (Geranium)

Pelargonium crispum Photo/Illustration: Jennifer Brown


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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Pelargonium crispum pel-ar-GO-nee-um KRIS-pum Common Name: Geranium Genus: Pelargonium
This plant is a lemon-scented, shrubby, upright pelargonium with pale pink flowers and crinkled leaves.
 Noteworthy characteristics: Works quite well for topiary because it produces dense heads of foliage. Crispum means curled or wavy and describes the edges of these plants’ small, crinkled, lemony leaves.
 Care: Scented geraniums will not tolerate poor drainage. In a container, ensure drainage and adequate moisture by using a good potting mix that contains ingredients like peat moss, pasteurized compost, and perlite. Use a timed-released fertilizer in the soil or an all-purpose liquid fertilizer when you water. Pelargoniums like magnesium, and a teaspoon of Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) added to each gallon of fertilizer solution every few waterings will adequately supply this nutrient. As with plants in the ground, place containers in the full sun. When temperatures get above 90°F pelargoniums appreciate some afternoon shade Bring potted plants indoors before outdoor temperatures drop below 45°F, to avoid shocking them. Place them in a south-facing windowsill that gets at least four hours of direct sunlight a day.
 Propagation: Sow seed at 70°F in late winter or early spring, or take softwood cuttings in spring, late summer, or early fall.
 Problems: Thrips, spider mites, mealybugs, caterpillars, gray mold, mildew, black leg, flower break virus, Xanthomonas blight, and edema are common problems.
Height 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Spread 6 in. to 12 in.
Growth Habit Clumps
Growth Pace Moderate Grower
Light Full Sun to Part Shade
Moisture Medium Moisture
Maintenance Moderate
Characteristics Fragrant Foliage; Showy Flowers
Bloom Time Fall; Summer
Flower Color Pink Flower
Uses Beds and Borders, Container, Indoor Plant, Suitable as Annual, Topiary
Style Herb Garden, Cottage Garden
Seasonal Interest Summer Interest, Fall Interest
Type Perennials

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