Geranium – the Flower Named after a Bird’s Beak
>> Apr 26, 2013
The bird in question here is a crane and
the Geranium is also known as cranesbill primarily because the seeds are
dispersed from a capsule that looks distinctly like the bill of a crane.
Depending on the species of flower, such a beak like seed capsule can be seen
only in a few of them. Geranium is a very hardy flower and most gardeners love
it simply because it is very versatile.
There are over four hundred species of
geranium plants which can be found in almost all parts of the world. They come
in brilliant colors such as pink, blue, red and white and are known by various
names and species such as:
·
Red
cutting type
·
Martha
Washington
·
Geranium
clarkei
·
Geranium
maderense
·
Cherry
Blossom which is a pink geranium and
·
Lone
Ranger
Even if you talk about the widely used term
cranesbill for this flower there are few distinct species as well:
·
Geranium
sylvaticum
·
Geranium
endressii
·
Geranium
macrorrhizum
·
Geranium
renardii and so on
There are also different hybrid species of
geranium.
Interestingly, the flower is associated
with friendship and amiability. In fact, according to the Japanese, the
Geranium is a sociable plant.
How
to grow geranium
Geraniums normally come alive in late
spring and with a bit of care can blossom until the winter frost sets in. You
can either choose to grow them from seeds or go in for saplings. If you choose
to grow a geranium from a seed then look for specific species that are known as
seed propagated. Examples are Ringo, Lone Ranger and Bandit.
Ideally, you could choose to plant the
seeds or saplings in or around May. Choose soil that is well drained and
receives a healthy amount of sunshine. A geranium is also pretty versatile and
fact is that it can be either an annual plant or a perennial one. Some species
can also be indoor plants.
Tending
to a geranium
Normally it is enough to ensure that you
have planted the seed or the sapling or the cutting in soil that is well moisturized
and well drained too. You can also use liquid fertilizer to ensure that the
plant is getting enough nourishment. Normally these flowers are not too
vulnerable to attacks from different types of pests but you can always use an
organic pesticide to give it an additional layer of protection.
In case you want to propagate the Geranium
every year, then you should be able to take some cuttings towards the end of
August and go in for rooting. You will have to balance such cuttings with an
ideal mix of moisture and dry soil.
Uses
The most common use of geranium is as a
garden plant. Some of the species which have trailing stems, such as the Ivy
Leaf geraniums are great for indoor decoration as well.
Another use for the geranium flower
is in essential oils and scented sachets for clothes cupboards. Some people
also believe that white geraniums have the capability to scare away snakes.
Growing them in the garden might help if you are scared of reptiles!
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