Planting Geraniums – How Far Apart?

With bright hues of red, blue, pink, white, purple and orange, planting geraniums is the perfect way to add pops of colour and vibrancy to your garden. There are several types of geraniums. They’re generally low maintenance, but they need good air circulation to thrive. The care of each geranium will vary, but a good rule of thumb is to plant them in soil that drains well, at least 30 cm apart.

Types of Geraniums

Cranesbill geraniums

These include our favorite Rozanne®. Her ability to adapt to a wide variety of conditions makes her so enjoyable to be around. When planting a number of  Rozannes in the ground, space them about 30 to 106 cm apart. When planted in the ground she tends to spread out and make lovely ground cover. If you plant Rozanne alone in a container, use a large container, at least 40 cm in diameter.

Zonal geraniums (aka Pelargoniums)

These are named for the patterns or zones on their leaves. They produce large, colorful flower heads on top of their dark, zonal leaves. Zonal geraniums should be planted at least 30 cm apart and where they will get six to eight hours of sun each day. Cooler temperatures are fine for zonal geraniums, but they won’t survive below freezing temperatures.

Ivy geraniums

These have ivy-like leaves, and their long branches tend to trail, making them ideal for containers, troughs, and window boxes. When planted in the ground, they will need up to 91 cm to allow room for their long branches. Ivy geraniums do well in full sun below 27°C (80°F). In warmer temperatures, plant them in partial shade.

Scented geraniums

These are named for the scents of mint, citrus, apple, chocolate and rose released from their leaves when gently squeezed. They have small petals and thick, hairy leaves. This aromatic plant prefers full sun all day and will do well in nearly all environments, except freezing temperatures. These fragrant plants do best when planted in containers and also thrive in bright locations indoors.

Martha Washington or Regal geraniums

These have bright green foliage and thick, velvety blooms. These geraniums need cooler temperatures in order to bloom. Regals can spread out and take up a lot of space, so plant these geraniums at least 30 cm apart.

Planting Geraniums In the Ground or In a Container?

When planted in containers, zonal geraniums will produce beautiful, dense clusters of bright blooms. Ivy geraniums naturally cascade over containers and planter boxes, while scented geraniums do best overall in containers.

When Rozanne is paired with other flowers in a container, the colour contrasts will brighten up your garden space even more. When adding multiple plants to a container, leave plenty of room for them to grow. If you live in an area with colder temperatures, containers are ideal as you can easily bring them inside to prevent freezing. Containers are also optimal if you have limited or no garden space.

Whether planted in the ground or in a container, Geraniums are a delightful addition to your garden, with Rozanne being at the top of our list. Join Rozanne’s inner circle and find out what makes this geranium so highly regarded by gardeners.