In nature, there are more than two hundred species of geraniums. Thanks to the selection, many varieties have been developed that can satisfy the taste of any even the most demanding grower. Geraniums today are decorated with houses, balconies, gazebos and terraces, gardens. Many varieties are decorative not only in color, but also in foliage.
Pelargonium zonal
Pelargonium zonal - the most numerous species of geranium. In room zonal geraniums straight strong stalk with lush foliage. The leaves of these plants are often bordered with a reddish streak, emit scent. The name of the variety is derived from the spots on the leaves of geranium, the spots on the leaf plates are arranged chaotically, irregularly and unequally shaped. The sheet plates are covered with pile, velvety to the touch. Zonal pelargonium is represented by many tall and miniature plants, differing in the shape of the leaves, the shape of flowers and their color. Geranium is zonal, all species and varieties are well grown and have abundant flowering. One of the most popular varieties in the cultivation is Happy Thought. The plant has variegated juicy-green leaves, in the center of an irregularly shaped leaf plate there is a bright yellow spot. The petals of an ordinary flower are bright scarlet. Unusual blue geranium: a five-petal flower of the Blue Blood variety of violet color, the petals are literally penetrated by red-maroon veins.
Important! During fertilizing house plants purchased fertilizers pay attention to the composition and the amount of nitrogen in it. The excess of this element stimulates the growth of foliage at the expense of flowering.
Zone Pelargonium Clove
Popular with gardeners variety. The flowers of this pelargonium resemble carnations, the same carved, fluffy petals. Clove color pelargonium has a large color range - from pastel tones to bright carmine, from pale pink to lilac, there are two-colored petals. Popular in the home growing such varieties:
- Pat Hannam - the color of the petals - from pale pink to deep lilac;
- Graffiti Violet - lilac-purple flowers;
- Freshwater - light pink petals.
Zone pelargonium stellate
This variety of room geranium has an unusual shape of leaves and petals: the edge of the leaves as if written out by sharp large teeth. Petals are large with torn edges, the lower petals of some varieties have two sharp tips. The first who began to breed star Pelargonium, were Australians. Several interesting varieties:
- Peppermint Star - pale petals closer to the center, on the tips - crimson;
- Star Flair - on a bright crimson background a white spot is clearly distinguished at the base of the petal, the shape of the petals is narrow;
- Swiss Star - two-color, on a gentle-lilac background, along the petal, bright coral-colored stripes are visible.
Did you know? Geranium was revered in family magic: girls wore amulets with oil or flower petals, attracting the groom, married women believed that geranium protected their family and prolonged their youth and attractiveness to their husband.
Zone Pelargonium cactus
Pelargonium cactus-shaped looks like a rattle: it has large flowers with very narrow, sometimes needle-like petals. These plants became popular in the late 19th century. Popular varieties:
- Fascination - carmine-colored petals, long, nail-shaped, the edges of the petals are turned down, which makes the form more pointed;
- Noel - petals are white, twisted, bright pink anthers rise above the stamen.
Zonal Pelargonium non-curved, or simple
Pelargonium non-double-leaved has simple flowers, five semicircular petals, flowers can be both large and small. The brightest varieties:
- Moulin Rouge - bright red geranium, large spherical inflorescences formed by small flowers up to 15 pieces;
- Santa Maria - carmine petals, from eight to twelve flowers in a round inflorescence;
- Happy of New Life - two-color, uneven spots of white and coral, scattered on the petals randomly, on a white background visible clear streaks.
Zonal semi-tertiary pelargonium
Semi-double room geranium is a bit more luxuriantly simple, it has up to eight petals, a large color palette. Demanded in room cultivation of a grade:
- Peppermint Twist - Pelargonium variegated crimson-white with a strip of red;
- Georgia Peach - bright yellow flowers with rounded petals;
- Calais - soft pink main background, in the middle a coral-colored petal.
Zone Pelargonium Terry
Terry pelargoniums are distinguished by a large number of openwork petals and appear fluffy due to the brighter underside of the petal. The flowers are gathered in thick rounded caps. Homeland Pelargonium room - South Africa, the plant is accustomed to heat and light, if it does not have enough light, provide additional lighting, otherwise the flowers will be faded. Interesting varieties:
- Pebbles - crimson petals with a light almost white center, a miniature variety;
- Shelk Moira is a densely colored double flower of coral pale color, bright green foliage;
- Brookside Fantasy - two-color petals: a strip of a darker color stands out against a lilac background.
Zone Pelargonium Rosaceae
Geranium with double flowers resembling miniature roses. A large number of petals, tightly adjacent to each other, collected in a filled bud. Numerous buds form a tight ball of inflorescence. Rosaceous pelargoniums are distinguished by a variety of tones. The most popular varieties:
- Apple Blossom - white petals with pale pink tips gathered around pale green stamen;
- Magda - lush buds carmine tone, with a lighter underside of the petal.
Zone Pelargonium Tulip
The flowers of tulip geranium look like an unblown tulip. Simple non-terry petals tightly gathered in buds, which, in turn, form lush inflorescences-bouquets.
A variety of tulip pelargonium bred American breeders from Boston, Massachusetts. One of the parents of the new variety was Fiat Pelargonium.
Popular varieties:
- Red Pandora - bright carmine buds, on the petals are clearly visible streaks of the same color, but a half tone darker;
- Patricia Andrea - bright dark pink buds, the variety has large carved leaves;
- Linea Andrea - attracts the attention of a pedicel with a stiff bristle that holds a large bud of lilac color.
Zone Pelargonium Deacon
Deacons are miniature plants of a compact form. This species is characterized by lush and abundant flowering. The color of the petals - pink, red and orange shades. The variety was first introduced in 1970 in the city of Chelsea at the flower fair. The author of this grade of pelargonium, Stanley Stringer, in the description indicated parental varieties: the zone variety Orion and the ivy pelargonium Blue Peter. The most unusual variety - Deakon Birthday, the color of the petal is creamy pink with a coral center. 
Royal Pelargonium
Royal Pelargonium is called the most attractive species, its height is from 16 to 40 cm and about 16 cm in diameter. Pelargoniums have the most varied shades of colors from white to deep purple. Flowers can be simple and terry, petals wavy or corrugated, differ in splashes in the form of spots or stripes on the main background of the flower. The topmost petals are velvety and larger than the rest. The royal variety is the most capricious of all, demanding increased attention to itself when growing. Common varieties of royal pelargonium:
- Ann Hoystead - tall up to 40 cm, flowers are large, petals of dark red color with large dark spots;
- Askham Fringed Aztec - 30 cm tall, terry white geranium, with bright blueberry-colored stripes along the petal;
- Black Prince is a 40-centimeter beauty, thick plum shade, with a thin silver strip along the edge of the petal.
Interesting fact! White geranium is considered a symbol of procreation, so it is customary to give it to couples who have no children. White geranium is also considered a talisman of ruin.
Pelargonium fragrant
This sort of geranium is called fragrant because of the pleasant delicate aroma. It is enough to press the leaf of the plant with your fingers, and a delicate smell will fill the space around. The fragrance of the flower combines the odors of other plants: mint, ginger, lemon and others. Hybrids derived from smelling exotic fruits and spices: pineapple, nutmeg, kiwi. The flowers of this species are small, dominated by pink and purple shades of petals. Beautiful carved leaves of the plant, seeming terry.
The following varieties are in demand:
- Lilian Pottinger - up to 30 cm in height and 16 cm in diameter, the leaves are divided into three parts in the form of a blade, bordered with denticles, white petals with red dots on the upper petals, pine aroma with a slight tinge of camphor;
- Ardwick Cinnamon - not large leaves of dark green color, velvety to the touch, white flowers, crimson specks on the upper petals, it smells of cinnamon.
Ileal pelargonium, or ampelous
Ilean pelargonium is named so for the similarity of the shape of the leaves with ivy foliage, a herbaceous plant, the branches grow to a meter long. Most often used in decorating loggias, open terraces in hanging pots. A variety of colors - from white to dark blue. Flowers of ampelous pelargonium are large, up to 5 cm in diameter, rounded in shape, can be double, semi-double and simple. The most beautiful varieties:
- Amethyst - glossy green foliage, color of the petals - from soft lilac to purple and crimson, flowers terry and semi-double;
- Cascade Pink - glossy, emerald leaves, petals rich pink.
Attention! Geranium as it grows needs pruning; it is carried out in the fall. It is undesirable to cut geraniums during the winter months.
Pelargonium Angel
These delicate flowers resemble pansies, the stems grow to 35 cm, long blooms - the whole summer period. Petals come in different colors: all shades of pink, white, purple. The two upper petals are marked with either stripes or a dotted pattern. The variety is not whimsical to care. Popular varieties of Angels:
- Eskay VerglŠ¾ - the variety has decorative foliage, the color of the petals is dark red, the lower ones are colored pink with white edging;
- Pac Angeleyes Bicolor - upper petals - bright purple in dark veins, lower - white.
Pelargonium Unicum
Unicums were bred about a hundred years ago by crossing royal and brilliant varieties of pelargonium. The leaves are dark green, dissected, fragrant. The shape of the flowers is similar to the flowers of the royal varieties, but smaller. Most often has a double color: white petals in the center and scarlet on the edge, at least - pink. Some varieties on the petals stand out dark streaks. Interesting varieties:
- Copthorne - a plant up to 50 cm in height, the leaves are dissected, in the shape of a blade, bright pink petals with a violet blotch;
- Crimson Unique - half a meter high, deep colored petals of the color of thick grape wine, the base of the petal is marked with a black spot.
Today we examined what geranium is, its types and varieties. Plants and miniature, and higher, with double and simple flowers, with different forms of flowers and leaves - there is plenty to choose from to decorate your house with elegant and fragrant flowers.
