Geranium is a plant native to temperate regions throughout the world. Geraniums are widely grown in the United States and Canada. Wild geraniums are popularly called crane’s-bill and heron’s-bill because of the shape of their fruit. Cultivated and indoor geraniums are varieties of another plant group, commonly called storksbill.
Many forms of geraniums have been commercially developed. They vary in the size and color of their flowers and in the markings and texture of their leaves. In California and areas with a similar climate, the plants may grow to the size of a bush. Common groups are ivy; scented leaf; zonal, or horseshoe; and Lady Washington, or showy pelargonium.
Geraniums are widely grown in homes and gardens. They grow easily from slips, or stems cut from the plants. Slips for summer blooming are taken from plants in the early spring, and those for winter flowering are taken in fall. Geraniums potted for winter growth must be cut back and shaped. This prevents the plants from becoming too tall and ragged looking. Commercially, geraniums are also grown from seeds. The plants do not need rich soil, but they must have plenty of sunshine and enough water to keep the roots moist.
Cooks often use leaves of the rose geranium to flavor jellies. A wild geranium, called herb Robert or red robin, has been used in medicine. Another wild geranium, known as alfilaria or red-stem filaree, is grown for forage (food for cattle) in the Western and Southwestern United States.
