Types of Geraniums Well Worth the Effort

We in the Southland are all familiar with geraniums. These ubiquitous flowering plants seem to pop up in every sunny patch of ground in Southern California.

But did you know that geraniums (Pelargonium) can be grown very easily and successfully indoors? And not just the “ordinary” garden variety geraniums, either.

According to Gary Scheidt, president of the Los Angeles branch of the International Geranium Society, there are at least 3,000 varieties of Pelargonium available in America’s garden centers and nurseries.

Although most varieties are perennials, many gardeners treat them as annuals, either buying new plants each year, making cuttings rooted under glass or starting from seed.

“Many varieties of Pelargonium can be grown indoors,” said Scheidt, whose chapter consists of 150 geranium fanciers. “The best choices for indoor culture are the dwarfs, miniatures, fancy-leaf, and scented-leaf varieties.”

Unfortunately, these varieties are becoming increasingly difficult to find.

Quite probably the world’s foremost authority on indoor geranium gardening is Faye Brawner of Buckingham, W. Va. Brawner, who currently has 5,000 plants growing in her house and her greenhouse, laments that sources for miniatures, dwarfs and fancy-leaf geraniums have practically become extinct.

“Specialty nurseries have gone by the wayside,” said Brawner, who is desperately trying to find somebody to carry on the gene pool. “My mission is to try and preserve the specialty types of geranium, such as the miniatures, dwarfs and fancy-leaf varieties.

“Luckily, most of the herb nurseries and better garden centers carry scented-leaf varieties, so for the time being there are plenty of those.”

Brawner favors ‘Just William,’ ‘Dame Anna Neagle’ and ‘Fairy Story’ as among the best varieties for indoor culture.

‘Just William’ is a miniature with light gold leaves and light red double blooms that, Brawner said, never gets large or needs pruning; Dame Anna Neagle is a dwarf with beautiful pink-and-white double blooms; and Fairy Story is among the fancy-leaf group with a green heart in the center of a white-banded leaf and delicate bright red blooms.

Scented leaf geraniums, which are prized for their various aromas, include ‘Apple,’ which has a sweet apple fragrance; ‘Dr. Livingstone,’ with a lemon-mint scent and deeply notched leaves; and ‘Grey Lady Plymouth’ a rose-scented beauty with lavender-pink and magenta striped blooms. Other available scents include peach, citrus, strawberry and peppermint.

Brawner, a self-described “Army brat” who has lived all over the world, first became interested in raising geraniums 35 years ago when her husband was stationed in San Diego.

“I had a very high-stress job at the time,” said Brawner, “and I found that working with the plants really helped to relax me.” (This is a sentiment that has been echoed by professional therapists for years.)

“Since then, we’ve moved several times, and the plants have moved with us,” Brawner said.

An important factor in growing geraniums successfully indoors, she said, is to see that during the winter your plants get either south light or artificial plant growing lights. “And contrary to the idea that geraniums always need full sun, they actually need afternoon shade in the summer months.”

“Geraniums are often called ‘people flowers,’ ” she said, “because they like the same conditions people do: Low humidity and even temperatures.

“Don’t let your plants dry out,” cautioned Brawner, “and feed them with a liquid plant food such as MiracleGro every other watering. And above all, you mustn’t let them stand in water in their saucers.”

The best source for the miniature, dwarf and fancy-leafed varieties is Brawner herself. She has a small catalog, which is available free of charge. Her mailing address is Route 4, Box 525 A, W. Va., 26201. Her telephone number is (304) 472-4203.

Scented-leaf geraniums can be obtained from many local nurseries and garden centers, or you can write to Logee’s Greenhouses, 141HP North Street, Danielson, CT 06239, where the $3 for the catalog is refundable with the first order, or Wirth’s Herbs, 4037HP Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15244-1333, where a self-addressed stamped envelope will get you their list.

Local geranium fanciers will be able to choose from more than 500 varieties at the upcoming geranium show and sale on May 11 and 12 at Descanso Gardens. Considered the largest geranium show and sale in the world, the two-day event will feature a host of rare and collector’s plants, many of which will be miniature, dwarf, scented-leaf and fancy-leafed varieties. Sale hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.

For information regarding membership in the International Geranium Society, write to IGS Membership, P.O. Box 9274, Pasadena, CA 91109.