How to grow Pelargonium peltatum, the «ivy geranium»

Ivy Geraniums thrive best in a mostly sunny position, with a well-drained soil. Light or dappled shade, during the hottest part of the day will help to maintain color intensity.

• Against a screen or trellis:

Just perfect for Ivy Geraniums! Some varieties will grow, potentially to approx 5 ft high (1.5 meters). Tie to trellis or lattice backdrop with lengths of twine or plastic ties, where needed. In windy zones this will save new growth from becoming dislodged.

• Try hanging baskets and containers:

With a quality potting mix , Ivy Geranium will make for a very attractive hanging basket or container plant . Water as needed, and keep dead-heading spent flowers to promote further flowering.

Planting two or three different colored, compact growing varieties, to each basket or container will make for a fabulous floral display.

• As a ground-cover:

Ivy Geraniums look just as wonderful romping over level ground, or trailing down over sloping land. Again, go for a few different colors and wait for a magic landscape.

While these plants are considered «self-cleaning» i.e the flowering stem will over time, deplete itself and eventually drop off, saving the need to dead-head. In large scale areas that may also be inaccessible, this is a definite plus.

These plants will respond well to a light foliar feed every few weeks, noting that over-feeding will only promote more foliage, rather than flowers.

Cut back only where needed to define shape, or confine to a limited space.

Cuttings can be potted up and used to propagate new plants easily.

With a cutting taken just below a leaf node, approximately 6 inches (15 cm), remove all but a few of the top leaves and dip the base of the stem into some rooting-hormone powder or gel medium.

Plant cuttings into an open potting medium, and keep «just moist» to establish.