Garden beauty blood-red geranium: description and medicinal properties, varieties, cultivation and care of the flower. Beautiful pelargonium: plant varieties with photos and descriptions

Pelargonium (Geranium) is a semi-shrub or herbaceous flower that belongs to the geranium group. More than 400 of its varieties are found in all corners of the world. It got its name from the Greeks because of the shape of the fruit, which looks like a crane's beak, and in Germany this flower is called the "stork's nose".

Pelargonium was brought to Europe from Africa in the 17th century. The peculiar smell and decorativeness of the plant won her great popularity in aristocratic circles, and after that geraniums began to appear in the gardens of other classes. Pelargonium came to our country in the 18th century, and since that time has become the most beloved flower of almost all gardeners. This is due to its beautiful flowers, active growth and unpretentiousness in care.

Pelargonium varieties: photo and description

In the natural environment, there are about 250 species of geraniums. The development of breeders made it possible to create numerous hybrids and varieties that differ in shape, color of leaves and inflorescences. Indoor pelargonium is divided into several groups:

• Ivy;
• Zonal;
• Unique;
• Fragrant;
• Royal;
• Angel;
• Succulent.

Zonal pelargonium

This flower variety is the most popular, as well as the most numerous species that has a large number of varieties. All varieties of this geranium are quite resistant and are characterized by lush flowering.. Most often, all indoor geraniums of this variety have a straight trunk with rich refrain-shaped foliage and a brown or red edging. The leaves of this variety are pubescent, and at the same time they create a peculiar smell.

According to the shape of the flowers, zonal pelargoniums are:

• Terry - more than 8 petals on flowers;
• Semi-double - on flowers up to 8 petals;
• Ordinary - have 5 petals.

The shape of the flowers of this variety is also different:

• Tulip, similar to the flowers of closed tulips;
• Rosebuds, with pink or red buds, resembling incompletely opened roses in shape;
• Cactus with twisted and narrow petals, reminiscent of a red chrysanthemum;
• Star-shaped, leaves and flowers follow the shape of a star;
• Formosa, with flowers in the form of an asterisk and foliage dissected into 5 parts;
• Deacons, small flowers that gather in bouquets of purple, red and pink.

The color of the petals also differs in its diversity. They can be multi-color, two-color or one-color, with or without a border. Separately, flowers are distinguished, which are called "bird eggs", they have dark ovoid blotches with dotted dots and stripes. Flowering of this variety of pelargonium occurs throughout the summer, and if the plant is not placed in a dormant state in winter, then it can bloom. all year round.

Zonal pelargoniums are also divided by height:

• Microminiature - up to 14 cm;
• Dwarf - 14–25 cm;
• Normal - 25–70 cm;
• Airins - up to 70 cm.

The name of this type of geranium is given by the color of the leaves, which have clearly marked areas, the central area and edging have a different shade. The border can be red, white, blue and burgundy. The middle of the leaf is very different, even black, silver or golden. There are varieties with tricolor foliage.

Royal Pelargonium

It is considered the most attractive plant of this variety. It has large flowers of various colors: pink, white, purple, burgundy and red. The diameter of the flowers can reach 16 cm and the same size in height.

Hybrids of this plant began to appear as early as the 19th century, and the royal geranium has become an indoor favorite of gardeners around the world. Her large double or simple flowers with fluted or wavy petals, on which there are stripes or a dark spot all the time, which is characteristic feature of this variety. The two petals on top are larger and velvety than the others.

The plant can reach a height of up to 15 cm. If you look at the photo of the royal geranium, you can see that the rough and jagged leaves are very similar to maple leaves, and at the same time they are both plain and bright.

This variety of pelargonium is the most whimsical flower of all geraniums, while the flowering time is much shorter than that of others (no more than 4 months), and occurs only after two years of growth.

Fragrant Pelargonium

This variety of geranium has the most pleasant aromas, for which it got its name, as well as the recognition of gardeners. If you gently touch a leaf of a plant, you can immediately feel various strong aromas, among them you can feel lemon, rose, strawberry, ginger, mint.

To date, hybrids have been bred that smell like apples, nutmeg, lilac, almond, pine and even pineapple and kiwi.

The flowers of this room pelargonium are small and, as a rule, are purple or pink color , as well as different shape. Brightly incised foliage has 5-7 parts. In the photo you can see that the foliage of fragrant geranium looks terry.

Using fragrant pelargonium

From this plant variety, geranium oil is extracted, which has a large number of unique properties, and is of great use in medicine, perfumery, cosmetology, and also in cooking. This oil is added to beverage syrups, jellies and hard candies. A couple of drops of this oil remove the sometimes unpleasant smell of milk.

The leaves of this variety are added to teas, pies and fruit dishes.. They are used to make flavored sugars. Why are layers of sugar and leaves placed in a glass container. The jar is exposed to the sun for 14 days. After the leaves are removed, and directly sugar is used to make various dishes.

Ivy Pelargonium

This variety of geranium is an ampelous species of herbaceous plants. Fragile and flowing shoots of this plant can be up to 1 m long. Shiny leaves of a rich green shade in the form of an asterisk resemble ivy, which gave the name to this flower.

Flowers in bud can be double, semi-double and single up to 5 cm in size. Their color can vary from pure white to black and blue. Flowering takes place from early summer to late autumn.

Look great as a decor for loggias and balconies, especially when in one hanging pot plant several species with different bud colors.

Pelargonium angel

This type of geranium is characterized by violet-colored inflorescences that look like a flower " Pansies". Plant up to 35 cm tall (with constant pruning) has a rather elegant shape, lush branching and unpretentious care. Flowering continues throughout the summer, flowers can be pink, white, purple, lilac with dark stripes or spots on the top two petals.

Pelargonium unique

These flowers are over a century old. The unique ones were obtained by crossing brilliant and royal varieties. The dark green leaves of the plants are strongly dissected and have a slight spicy smell. The flowers are very similar to royal geraniums., but slightly smaller. As a rule, they have a middle white color and red leaves. Varieties of pink and white are few in number. Some species are distinguished by dark veins and spots.

Succulent Pelargonium

This is a rather unusual variety of geranium. The stems of the plant, lignified from below, are strongly arched and branched. With increased dryness of the air and weak watering, the bush sheds leaves. The plant has rather bizarre shapes that resemble various fantastic creatures. Branches sometimes have thorns. This flower is usually chosen for bonsai decoration., and in the role exotic plants for decorating the room. Of the 10 varieties of this plant, as a rule, you can find geranium cortus-leaved, humpbacked, downy-leaved, fleshy, angular and thick-stemmed.

lemon pelargonium

This variety of geranium has earned its popularity due to its strongly dissected, pubescent, bright green leaves of complex shape. The bush is quite tall, can grow up to 1.5 meters. When touched, the leaves begin to emit strong aroma lemon.

Healing properties of geranium

For the unique healing properties of many types of geraniums, the Bulgarians call it "health resort". And in fact, it helps a lot with many diseases:

• Toothache disappears if you hold a geranium for a short time in your mouth;
• Inflammation and pain in otitis can be removed with crushed leaves fragrant pelargonium if you put them in the ear canal;
• Geranium infusion is great for stress and neurosis, and also treats gout and colds;
• A geranium leaf attached to the wrist stabilizes pressure;
• For itching, wounds, swelling and eczema, leaf baths are used;
• The aroma of this flower eliminates irritability, insomnia and headache;
• Also, the plant helps pets in the treatment of ear mites;
• Decoctions of the roots and leaves are used for kidney disease, salt deposition and diabetes.

Properties of pelargonium oil

Speaking of pelargonium, it is impossible not to mention essential oil which is made from this plant. Today, neither the cosmetic, nor the perfumery, nor the confectionery, nor the soap industry can do without its use. Also, without this oil, coloring and dressing of certain types of leather is impossible.

In folk medicine, a couple of drops of oil diluted in a glass of water are used to treat ulcers, urinary tract, diarrhea, diabetes, and bleeding.

Also, this oil is an anthelmintic substance. Oil baths are used for eczema, burns, high blood pressure and headaches.

But do not forget that, like all folk methods of treatment, the use of geranium has some contraindications However, it cannot replace drug therapy. Therefore, before starting treatment with it, you should definitely consult a doctor.

Geranium perfectly cleans the air, removes unpleasant odors (for example, burning). At the same time, she fights well with moths, flies and mosquitoes.

Signs associated with geraniums

This flower is considered a talisman that protects the house from many troubles and does not allow people with bad intentions to enter it. The plant has positive energy, therefore, many superstitions and signs associated with it have a positive orientation.

If this flower is in the house, then household members almost never suffer from stress and do not quarrel. According to ancient beliefs, geranium oil protects from the evil eye, dark forces and other evil spirits. And the girls carried small bags of geraniums with them to attract suitors. And for older ladies, they helped to maintain youth and attractiveness.

Blooming white geranium was a sign of an addition to the family, therefore it is customary to give it to couples who cannot have children for a long time. At the same time, white geranium still protects from ruin and disasters.

Blooming geranium in the house

But red geranium is useful for those couples who are in conflict with each other all the time. This flower brings peace to the house and removes all negative emotions.

Pink geranium also plays a significant role. She can resurrect the extinguished feelings of the spouses for a long time together. She brings emotions, passion and ardor back into relationships. It is also used against witchcraft. Since she is a flower of delight, she is advised to keep in houses where creative personalities live.

Also there is a belief that geranium, especially red, helps its owners to properly manage money that accompanies material well-being. And if you install it near the azalea pot, then the influx of money cannot be avoided.

Astrologers say that indoor geranium can quickly extinguish rage and anger, neutralize negative energy in rooms, develop a sense of humor and relax nerves.

In places where there is a geranium, snakes are never found.

If this plant actually has at least some of the prescribed properties, then the question of whether it is possible to plant geraniums at home disappears by itself, by installing it on your windowsill, it will probably be possible to decorate your home, as well as get rid of many problems in the family and home .

Modern varieties of pelargoniums are difficult to compare with the bushes of "grandmother's" geraniums, whose scarlet or pink umbrellas proudly flaunted on the windowsills of city apartments, in front gardens and on balconies. Despite the fact that the plants have not become more capricious, today varieties are available to flower growers that delight with long flowering of not simple, but densely double flowers, and the palette of inflorescences is unusually wide. This is evidenced by descriptions and photos of pelargonium varieties.

Terry, with a clarified center, pink-raspberry flowers of Pebbles pelargonium seem even larger, since the plant itself is not too large and rightfully belongs to the category of miniature ones.

Despite the emergence of new varieties of pelargoniums, a photo of this fluffy, easy-to-shape bush invariably attracts the attention of flower growers who will not be disappointed when growing it on or on a windowsill. Dense caps of inflorescences look even more voluminous due to the light, almost white reverse side petals.

Delicate dwarf pelargonium Shelk Moira is the first officially recognized creation of Russian breeders. Author showy plant with dense double flowers of an unusual light salmon shade and bright emerald foliage is a resident of St. Petersburg Irina Kleimova.

The inflorescences of this variety of pelargonium, as in the photo, are dense, the flowers are densely double, with wavy, clarified with back side petals.

Another terry plant of the Brookside Fantasy variety is bright representative zonal pelargoniums. Compact bushes with rich green leaves with a clearly visible dark stripe delight with inflorescences of a delicate pink-lilac hue.

At the stage when the buds are just opening, closer to the center, the petals have a slight green glow, then their reverse side acquires a pink-cream color, slightly lighter than the entire inflorescence. Flower caps are large, commensurate with inflorescences on standard bushes, although this pelargonium is a real miniature.

Red-crimson flowers, as in the photo, Bold Carmine pelargoniums can be classified as semi-double or double. The plant itself is compact, well perceives top dressing and willingly produces elongated peduncles with caps of carmine flowers.

The back side of the petals of this variety differs more light color. The foliage is bright, with a noticeable concentric stripe in the middle of the leaf plate.

Zonal pelargoniums Saxdalens Selma form a large strong bush, which stands out not only with powerful shoots, but also with voluminous beautiful inflorescences consisting of pale pink flowers. Plants of this variety bloom beautifully and respond to care. The bush is small, easily branched.

Many flower growers pay attention to the unusual structure of spectacular pink flowers, more reminiscent of rosaceous varieties.

Light, airy and very large inflorescences of this variety of pelargonium, as in the photo, are easy to recognize by the amazingly beautiful pink-salmon shade of flowers.

But this is not the only advantage of the variety. Pelargonium foliage has a golden green color. Bushes are cast by slow growth and compactness.

Terry le Pirat impresses with the abundance and splendor of inflorescences. The flowers of this variety have a velvety deep red color and in shape, at the beginning of flowering, are very reminiscent of blossoming roses.

Pelargonium is different in that the flowers do not crumble for a long time, and the plants can be used as an ampel culture to decorate a veranda or garden.

Since the shape of the densely double flowers of Noel Gordon pelargonium is very reminiscent of roses, the plant can also be classified as a rosebud variety. Bushes of this zonal pelargonium are compact and densely covered with foliage.

Due to the abundance of large pink flowers with wavy petals, dense inflorescences of this variety are very decorative and do not crumble for a long time.

Pelargonium PAC Viva Maria, which has German roots, like its relatives, blooms profusely and for a long time, while the bushes are very compact, and the inflorescences are luxurious and large.

The flowers of this variety are easily recognizable among the mass of other inflorescences by their white color with a bright crimson spot at the base of each petal. As a result, simple or semi-double pelargonium flowers compare favorably with the general range, and plants of this variety are worthy of becoming a valuable specimen in the collections of both connoisseurs of the species and beginners.

The decorativeness of the Powder Puff zonal pelargonium is achieved due to very dense inflorescences of a salmon shade and beautiful leaves with a clearly defined contrasting stripe.

The petals on the back side are lighter than on top. The plants are small in size, which flower growers will appreciate, at whose disposal only indoor window sills.

The salmon coloration of the wavy petals of Lake Pelargonium becomes almost white towards the edge, and the color in full force appears only towards the center of large double flowers. Moreover, for brighter flowering, plants are recommended to be exposed to the sun, in the shade the colors fade noticeably.

The plant itself belongs to the standard zonal varieties and requires careful shaping. The leaves of this variety of pelargonium, as in the photo, are very elegant due to the wide contrasting border of a brownish-green hue.

The dwarf pelargonium Ludwigsburger Flair blooms willingly and profusely, but in order for the plant to really look like a miniature, careful work will be required from the grower when forming a bush.

Terry beautiful flowers of this variety are pink in color, which becomes brighter towards the center and becomes almost white or greenish towards the ruffled edge.

Gorgeous, unusually shaped flowers of the zonal pelargonium Mallorca make this variety a cactus. The peculiarity of the flowers is a lot of jagged petals, pointed along the edge, combining red, white and greenish stripes in color.

The plant is compact, easily and long forms new inflorescences. If the bush is in a lit place, the plant retains small size, and in the shade it begins to stretch to standard pelargoniums.

Leaves with a neat decorative border and barely pink flowers Dowepoint Pelargoniums make this luxurious strain stand out from the many available today terry plants of this type.

The bushes are compact, rather squat, the inflorescences are dense and, compared to the size of the plant, are voluminous.

The incredibly beautiful Elmsett dwarf pelargonium belongs to the zonal variety. And flower growers who see the plant fall in love with bright leaves with a golden hue and double cream flowers, decorated with red spots and veins.

The bush color is long and plentiful, its shape is very neat, so the plant will easily decorate any window sill.

The flowers of the zonal pelargonium Lara Harmony, when fully opened, are incredibly similar to real roses, however, the variety belongs to terry. The size of the bush is standard, leaves with a classic color for the species, flowers are densely double, lush, with a spectacular pink color, which is somewhat weaker in the lower part of the corolla.

This variety of pelargonium, as in the photo, can be distinguished by strong shoots, rich green foliage, characteristic of zonal plants, and double peony flowers. Thanks to the lush inflorescences, Norrland pelargonium is well known to lovers of this culture and has earned the sincere love of flower growers.

To achieve high-quality flowering, the plant requires proper care, pruning and attention. And in this case, the bushes will surely please with pink densely double inflorescences.

Very decorative terry flowers of Pelargonium Passat amaze with light pink tint corrugated petals and density, reminiscent of delicate fluffy pompoms. The variety has long been known to pelargonium lovers and enjoys well-deserved attention from both beginners and longtime adherents of the culture.

The bushes of this zonal pelargonium need to be shaped, but when good care long and high quality flowers.

Pelargonium Granny Barter flowers are similar in shape to the front bows of schoolgirls, their petals are so light and tender.

Hustomahrovye corollas of white-pink color form dense inflorescences that look great on the bushes standard height. The variety has established itself as trouble-free and very flexible.

Strong powerful pelargonium bushes of this variety are covered with dense foliage and luxurious inflorescences, consisting of rich red double flowers. The dark stripe along the outer side of the leaf plate adds decorativeness to the leaves.

Pelargonium Ainsdale Duke is very solemn and spectacular. Many other plants fade next to it, which must be taken into account when selecting collections of varieties.

Pale pink, very attractive flowers of Bold Ann pelargonium invariably attract the attention of flower growers to this terry cultivar of the zonal variety.

Pelargonium bushes are neat, inflorescences do not lose their beauty for a long time, and the plant is undemanding and willingly responds with flowering to easy care.

Zonal dwarf pelargonium Bold Pixie is sure to please flower growers who love double flowers of a raspberry-pink shade unusual for this culture.

On small bushes bright inflorescences look doubly advantageous, and, in addition, a significant advantage of the variety is the almost independent formation of the bush.

Dovepoint Pelargonium Video

What do Turkey, Scandinavia and Azerbaijan have in common? Answer: geranium. Despite the creepy name, blood red geranium is beautiful and useful plant, popular among connoisseurs of beauty and adherents of traditional medicine.

Geranium sanguineum, as it is customary to call culture in scientific circles, has a wide distribution in territories located in temperate climate zone. In fact, the birthplace of the flower is most of Eurasian continent, which includes the Caucasus, Russia, the Balkans, Europe and partly the Mediterranean.

In conditions of free growth, geraniums can be found on well-lit mountain slopes, glades, in the depths and on the edges of forests, among shrubs.

Given herbaceous plant- This is a perennial with a developed root system, the elements of which are fleshy, knotty and impressive in length. The branched stems are stiff and pubescent, as are the petioles of the openwork leaves, resembling a fractal design. Green leaf plates consist of 5-7 lobes, which, in turn, are also divided.

Pointed sepals, petals and honey flowers - all five pieces in each flower. However, they are not always blood red. Such a name garden culture received due to the fact that the lower leaves and the basal part of the stem acquire the appropriate shade in autumn.

The plant overwinters well in open ground without loss sheet plates, so often planting is not limited to a pot on the windowsill. The flowering period covers mid-June - August, and fractional, similar to the head of a stork, fruits appear by September.

AT landscape design low-growing ground cover varieties of geraniums are used, with which you can create various carpet compositions, as well as decorate borders. In addition, the blood-red flower has medicinal value, as it contains substances that have the following properties:

• antiseptic;
• hemostatic;
• painkillers;
• anti-inflammatory.

Despite the fact that traditional medicine has only slightly touched this plant, all its parts are actively used in folk healing practices.

Video "Reproduction of geraniums by cuttings"

From this video you will learn how to properly propagate pelargonium cuttings.

Main varieties

Geranium received the status of a cultivated plant in the 16th century. For five hundred years, the minds of horticultural business have bred many varieties, among which you can find low-growing creeping specimens, as well as vigorous shrubs with a dense rounded crown.

Single and semi-double petals are painted in various shades of red - from soft pink to deep purple. The Album variety stands somewhat apart - its flowers are white.

striatum

A miniature bush, whose height does not exceed 15 cm and a diameter of 30 cm. The overgrown striatum resembles a small pillow dotted with small pale pink flowers. On the petals there are brighter veins in relation to the main color.

Alan Bloom

This variety of groundcover also does not differ in large dimensions, however, during the flowering period, it pleases with a brighter pink color.

Canon Mills

This variety of geranium boasts flowers that combine two shades: pink and lilac. In addition, the petals are covered with a contrasting striped pattern.

Max Fry

Included in the list of the most popular subspecies of garden geraniums among gardeners. Representatives of the Max Fry variety grow about 20 cm in height. The flowers are purple-pink, with dark veins, up to 4 cm in diameter.

Care rules

Geranium sanguineum and all its varieties - perfect option for lazy and beginners. The culture is resistant to cold, drought and disease. In addition, as a carpet plant, it is able to have an overwhelming effect on weeds.

Geranium is unpretentious and can safely “sit” on the same bed for up to 15 years. Therefore, the main care for plantings will be to monitor the level and degree of stagnation ground water(plants cannot tolerate excess moisture), spring top dressing and providing adequate lighting.

Seedlings are recommended to be placed at a distance of 40 cm from each other. The soil can be any, but loose loams and sandstones will be preferable. In the first time after planting, it is recommended to weed the weeds so that they do not interfere with the growth and adaptation of geraniums. The next year, when individual bushes turn into a dense flowering carpet, there will simply be nowhere for wild herbs to grow.

Flowers endure wintering easily and do not require shelter. However, as a preparation for the cold period, it is recommended to cut the shoots. This is done in the second half of autumn, before the onset of frost.

Considered one of the most colorful and beautiful ornamental plants which is revered and loved by many. This flower comes from England. Geranium has a unique delicate aroma, decorative and healing properties. Thanks to the work of Dutch and English breeders, many new varieties of this plant have appeared, which are striking in their diversity and are often used in landscape design.

Description of geranium

Garden geranium is a perennial ornamental leafy plant with very delicate and beautiful flowers. Today there are about 300 species of this flower.

This extraordinary plant is valued not only for its amazing flowering, but also for its ability to form a lush, compact spherical shrub with bright green openwork foliage.

Garden geranium flowers can have a wide variety of colors, except for orange and yellow. Their size, depending on the variety, is 3-6 cm in diameter. This plant retains its decorative effect until frost.

blood red geranium

In nature, this plant can be found on the mountain slopes of Europe and the Caucasus. This is a perennial shrub with a compact lush spherical crown, reaching a height of about 50-60 cm and a width of 0.5 m. The leaves are dark green. Stems, undersides of leaves, petioles and flower stalks of blood red geraniums are covered with hairs. Closer to autumn, the leaves and stems of the plant turn bright red, justifying their name.

This species blooms in early summer and blooms with simple or semi-double flowers of light pink, purple or red. However, the blood red geranium is decorative not only during the flowering period, but throughout the growing season, which makes this plant popular in garden design.

Low-growing varieties are used in flowerpots, rock gardens, and in roof gardening. The plant is planted alone (in rockeries, mixborders, borders) and in groups. In rock gardens and flower beds, the shrub goes well with garden chamomile, cuff, bluebells, hosta, geyhera, daylily.

Features of growing in the garden

Blood red geranium prefers full sun, but can also grow in partial shade. The main thing is that there is no stagnant water in the soil, since this is a drought-resistant plant. If the landing site is lowland, a retaining wall can be made for the pet, so the water will not stagnate.

Garden blood-red geranium is very unpretentious in care. Prefers loose, loamy and sandy calcareous soils, but can grow in any garden soil.

Geranium in one place can grow up to 10-15 years, without the need for division and transplantation. Some time after planting, it is necessary to carefully weed out all the weeds that inhibit the growth of the plant. In the future, when the bush grows, there will be no special need for this, it will itself oppress the weed grass.

Geranium blood red: planting and care

If you plan to grow a plant through a rhizome, then planting material It is desirable to purchase already in February. The underground part of the seedling should be dense enough, have a solid growth point and adventitious roots. Store planting material in the refrigerator at 1-2 degrees Celsius. So that the plant does not dry out, it is moistened every two weeks. Landing on the site is carried out only after the soil warms up well. When planting, you need to make sure that the roots do not bend.

Some growers prefer to buy plants grown in pots. They are planted in a permanent habitat when the weather is completely stabilized. True, the assortment of such potted plants is not too diverse. Yes, and they cost a lot.

Correct fit geraniums are her pledge good growth and abundant flowering. Since this plant has a long root system, for its landing you need a deep, but not too wide landing pit. The distance between the bushes is about 30 cm.

First in landing pit the nutrient mixture is laid, the roots of the flower are laid out on top of it, then covered with soil and watered.

Transplanted garden geranium autumn or in early spring. During this period, its reproduction is carried out by dividing the bush into parts.

Blood red geraniums grow very fast. Therefore, it is important to monitor this process and prevent the formation of excessive growth.

It is worth remembering that this plant does not tolerate transplantation very well, so it is advisable to plant it in a flower garden for a permanent habitat.

Growing geraniums in flowerpots

Planting blood-red geraniums is carried out in a pot with drainage holes. The planted flower is well compacted and watered. During this period, the plant needs special care- cool and good lighting. Therefore, it is taken out to a glazed balcony or loggia. The soil should always be slightly moist, but not flooded, since an excess of moisture can cause the plant to rot the root system.

Geranium care

The basic care for this plant is as follows:

• Watering. After planting, the plant must be watered frequently and abundantly. In the future, the number of irrigations is reduced. Only on hot days summer days and during the dry season, the bush is watered frequently and regularly. The drooping leaves of the plant are a signal of a lack of moisture.
• Garden geranium is blood-red, the care of which is not difficult at all, does not need fertilizer. But mineral fertilizers can be used as top dressing.
• In geraniums, it is necessary to remove faded buds in a timely manner so that new ones bloom.
• The main care for this plant includes the reproduction procedure. This is done in two ways - by dividing the rhizome and seeds.

Reproduction of geranium seeds

Growing it ornamental shrub with the help of seeds - the process is very laborious and at the same time not always effective enough. When using the seed propagation method, the probability of obtaining a new plant with all the characteristics and qualities of the main variety is not very high. Yes, and collecting fresh seeds for planting is quite problematic. The seed pods crack when ripe, and the seeds are dispersed throughout the area.

Seeds are sown in April or before winter. The appearance of the first shoots should be expected in May. Young seedlings of the plant develop quite quickly, they are unpretentious in care, like adult bushes. With seed propagation, young plants bloom the next year.

Other types of care work and disease prevention

Blood-red garden geranium (photo attached to the article) does not require shelter, since it is a winter-hardy plant that can easily tolerate low temperatures.

The flower has a high resistance to diseases and invasions. harmful insects. Geranium rarely gets sick. A protective barrier for it is created by released phytoncides and essential oils.

In low light and high humidity the bush can be affected by powdery mildew. Treatment of an infected plant is carried out Bordeaux mixture. Frequent waterlogging of the soil can provoke the appearance of gray rot. It is almost impossible to save a damaged shrub, so it is immediately removed from the site. In the event of brown spotting, the geranium is treated with a fungicidal solution.

That, in principle, is all the care that needs to be provided on garden plot flower.

The garden blood red geranium is an amazingly colorful plant that can find a place in any garden. Proper fit, proper care and optimal conditions content - and this perennial will please the owners for a long time with full growth and violent flowering.

Indigenous to the temperate zone is the blood-red geranium. It grows well in deciduous forests and on mountain slopes. In nature, this plant can be found in Central Europe, the Caucasus, the Balkan Peninsula and the European part of Russia. For several centuries, it has also been popular with gardeners who use it as a real decoration for their flower beds.

plant description

Blood-red geranium (Geranium sanguineum) is a perennial shrub up to 60 cm tall, spherical in shape with branched stems that are densely covered with foliage. A special distinguishing feature of this plant is a powerful knotted rhizome and small hairs covering the stems and leaves.

Large single flowers up to 4 cm in diameter have 5 petals and are located on long peduncles. Depending on the variety, they have a color from light pink to bright purple. The flowering period is quite long - from June to August. At this time, the geranium bush is completely strewn with flowers. The leaves are palmately separated bright green color is no less beautiful. Some of them turn red along with the stem by autumn, the other remains green until spring. Thus, the decorativeness of the bush is preserved all year round. A small fruit, as it ripens, breaks up into 5 small parts with thin, linearly chiseled seeds.

Growing conditions

Blood red refers to unpretentious plants that grow magnificently in one place, without requiring transplantation and division, for 10-15 years. The site for landing is selected open and well lit. Soils are preferred loamy, fertile. The short rhizome of this plant usually grows widely to the sides, therefore, when planting bushes, a distance of at least 30 centimeters should be observed between them. A year later, they form a continuous carpet on the soil surface. It is usually so dense that weeds cannot grow under its lower leaves.

Due to the tenacity of the roots, geraniums can be planted on steep slopes and used to close voids in flower beds as a background plant. Geranium is not susceptible to diseases; insect pests are repelled by its peculiar pungent smell. So caring for plants is just timely watering. It should be done frequently in the early days after planting, and then as needed. Geranium usually reports a lack of moisture with drooping leaves. It is worth watering the plant, as it again acquires its former appearance.

In the spring or at the end of the season, all dried parts of the plant should be removed. Blood red geranium is resistant to low temperatures, tolerates winter very well, and there is no need to cover it for this period. In spring, in and before flowering, the plant is fed with mineral fertilizers.

reproduction

Garden geraniums can be propagated in various ways: by seeds, rhizome segments. The first method is quite laborious, since it is not easy to collect ripe seeds that are scattered in the wind. In addition, with this method of propagation, traits of the variety may be lost. Most often, gardeners use the second method. Strong young roots are separated from the mother bush and planted in prepared soil, providing sufficient watering. Reproduction is carried out in spring period. Under favorable conditions, the plant can reproduce by self-sowing. In this case, blood red will be covered only in the second year.

Varieties

The work carried out by breeders has led to the emergence of different varieties of this plant. There are about a dozen of them, of which the most popular are:

striatum. The plant is stunted - usually no more than 15 cm high, covered with small flowers. The leaves turn purple in autumn. Has dark eyes.

album. Considered one of the best varieties. Its height can reach 30 cm. It is distinguished by the white color of the flowers, which turn yellow by the end of summer.

compactum. A blood red geranium that is great for decorative design roofs A very lush plant, whose height is 10-15 cm, is usually grown in flowerpots and rock gardens.

Nana. Another undersized variety, with pink flowers.

Prostratum. This variety is particularly long flowering. The flowers are dark pink in color.

Application

Blood red geranium is used for group plantings in borders, rockeries and other garden scenery. Highly beautiful combination it turns out with such neighbors as bells and a cuff. Geranium bushes are magnificent all year round.

In early spring, they are covered with bright green leaves, the flowering period begins in summer, and in autumn almost all parts of the plant acquire a beautiful purple color.

But not only decorative properties this plant is famous. Since ancient times, there is an opinion that geranium is able to protect against the evil eye and attract prosperity. The plant is also used in the leather industry, preparing tanning extracts from it. It has huge health benefits. Blood red geranium is very popular as a medicinal plant.

Healing properties of geranium

Practically all its parts have useful properties - root, leaves, flowers. They are used to prepare infusions that are effective in many diseases. An infusion prepared from this plant is able to expand the coronary vessels. It is also recommended for many diseases. gastrointestinal tract, perfectly relieves pain in ulcerative lesions of the gastric mucosa. For fractures, special baths are made with the addition of infusion.

In different countries, geranium finds its application. So, in Moldova, an infusion from the rhizome of this plant is used as a purulent wound wash, gargle with diseases such as tonsillitis, tonsillitis. In Bulgaria, the same infusion is used as an astringent, inflammatory skin diseases, dermatoses are treated. In addition, geranium has a calming effect and improves sleep.

Thus, not only a decoration of the garden, but also an assistant in the treatment various diseases the geranium will turn blood red. A photo different varieties This plant should be carefully studied in order to choose exactly the plant that will perform a decorative function on your site to the fullest.