Geranium flower facts you may not know
When shopping for fresh blooms at your local florist, you will most likely come across a Geranium flower bouquet or at least geraniums included in mixed bouquets. They are extremely popular cut flowers for several reasons. One being the fact that they are large and colourful. This means that you don’t need a lot of them to create an impressive display.
Native to South Africa
The Geranium flower is native to South Africa where the climate is perfect for them to thrive. There are more than 400 species of this genus of plant and they can grow as tall as 4 feet. Some varieties do not exceed 6 inches in height. They bloom in several colours and they have various sweet scents depending on its type. Some smell like peppermint while others have more of a rose scent.
Easy to grow
If you are looking for an easy plant to grow in your garden, you should consider adding a Geranium flower or two. They can be grown in your garden, as hanging plants or as potted plants. Make sure that you keep the soil fairly dry and do not water too often or the roots will rot and the plant will perish. They also need to be deadheaded now and then in order to encourage more blooms.
Crane’s Bill
The Geranium flower is also known as the crane’s bills which refers to the seed capsule rather than the flower. The seed capsule is similar in shape to the bill of a crane and it eventually bursts open to disperse the seeds. Essential oils made from these blooms are used as a tonic, diuretic and deodorant.
Different types
Some types of Geraniums smell like citronella which is excellent for repelling mosquitoes. Not only will you get to enjoy the beauty of these blooms, but the sweet scent and the added benefit of keeping nasty mosquitoes at bay.
Use of the leaves
It’s not only the Geranium flower that offers many uses, but also the leaves. They can be used to make a delicious rose-scented tea. It is perfectly safe for consumption and you also don’t need to worry about the plant causing any health problems if ingested by pets.
The next time you spot a Geranium flower bouquet, you will remember all of these interesting facts! Not only is it great for your own personal general knowledge, but you can also use these facts as conversation starters when entertaining guests.