Garden Talk: May 8, 2008 From NGA Editors Unusual Butterfly
Geranium Geraniums (Pelargoniums) are classic summer annuals
that grace window boxes, containers, and gardens across the
country. While most gardeners are familiar with the Martha
Washington and zonal geraniums, there are other types of
Pelargoniums that are equally as desirable. The South African
butterfly geranium (Pelargonium violareum) is a highly
floriferous, long-blooming geranium with unusual coloring thats
perfectly suited to containers. The five-petaled, tricolor
blooms begin in late spring and continue until frost. The viola-
like flowers have pure white upper petals and raspberry pink
lower petals with a black center. The flowers are borne on thin
stems that rise just above the foliage. This species is mostly
grown as an annual since its only hardy to 25 degrees F.
However, as with other geraniums, it can be brought indoors for
the winter in cold climates. It grows 24 inches tall and 16
inches wide and flowers best in full sun. For more inf