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Scientifically known as Pelargonium peltatum [ pe - lar - GO - neeum , pel - TAY - tum ] , Ivy Geranium works are spread or scrambling perennial .
With pretty fleshy , affectionateness - shaped leaves , the Ivy Geranium plant is arrogate to thecranesbillfamily Geraniaceae .
The plant is native to eastern South Africa and is deck with rounded clustering of beautiful reddened , pinkish , lavender or livid flowers .
While the plant usually blossom profusely in summer on other area , it bloom all yr long on its native land .
The name of the genus Pelargonium comes from the Greek word for stork .
The world peltatum , on the other deal , is derived from the Latin Christian Bible pelta , which means “ small cuticle . ”
This is a reference to the crescent or cuticle - like chassis of the petal . The name is a reference to the shape of the seed header .
The Ivy Geranium metal money itself was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1753 rule book Species Plantarum . In his book , the plant is named as Geranium peltatum .
More on the manyTypes of Geraniumsandgrowing potted geranium .
Ivy Geranium Care
Size & Growth
The Ivy leafage geranium is a trailing evergreen repeated .
It has heavy burnished greenish leaf 2 ” – 3 ” inches wide .
Each leaf has a pointed lobe resembling Ivy .
This is why the plants ’ common name is Ivy Geranium .
Under the veracious growing conditions , the plant can grow up to 1 ’ – 2 ’ feet grandiloquent and 3 ’ – 5 ’ feet wide .
When water regularly during the summer andprotected during the winter , it can rise comparatively tight and produce flowers .
The foliage people of color depart .
Flowering and Fragrance
Ivy Geranium plants are most admired for their compact growth and an copiousness of flower product .
The flora make umbel - like anthesis ladle with 2 to 10 harmonious scentless flower bud .
Each geranium flower is bilaterally symmetric and has five liberal spade - shaped petal .
On average , the petals are about a ½ ” inch long and about a ¼ in wide .
The two upper petals from time to time have dark markings and slew back almost 90 ° degrees .
The plant flowers during summertime in most areas but year - daily round in its native commonwealth .
Ivy geraniums open blossoms in semi - double heyday clusters , but it ’s a looser material body than the ball - type flush on their zonal geranium cousin-german .
Light & Temperature
The Ivy Geranium plant is deal stalwart and does the full in full sun or light specter but extend vulnerability to hot weather is not advocate .
Provided the grease is organically - rich and slightly alkaline .
It is intrepid to USDA hardiness zones 10 to 11 and can grow as an annual in nerveless area .
Since the flora is dormant in wintertime , it does ask some protection when the temperature pretermit .
Watering and Feeding
Ivy Geranium flora have a scurvy to medium pee requirement .
When the temperatures get too live and teetotal , water the plants more frequently to keep in soil moisture .
Overwinter your plant carefully or take prow cutting in the downslope .
High moisture levels near the roots can exposegeraniums to molder roots .
When it comes to fertilizing , Ivy Geranium is a prehensile plant and demand regular feeding .
If you do n’t do so , it can have a negative impact on the plant .
It can cease to flower .
If your Ivy Geranium is planted in a garden , use aslow - release fertilizeror an organic alternative .
flow every six to eight weeks until early fall .
For potted Ivy Geranium , apply a liquified plant food every two weeks .
When develop ivy geraniums in containers , lachrymation is particularly important .
Keep the soil moist , pay special tending to geranium in hanging baskets pay back air circulation in all orbit .
Soil & Transplanting
Ivy Geranium is susceptible to root rot , mean they detest soils with poor drain .
They are also extremely esurient and require a wad of nutrients .
Well - drained garden land enriched with organic compost is the safe choice to go with .
If you use Lucius Clay grime , improve its structure by supply some rough-cut river George Sand .
As for transplanting , they can treat it well .
Be deliberate while doing so to ensure you do not damage the root .
Grooming and Maintenance
Ivy Geranium plants are low maintenance .
This plant does n’t ask you to dress often or spend much sentence shape the plant life .
During the flowering time of year , regular deadheading advance a steady supply of flower bud .
However , the plant is self - cleanup .
twinge stems to encourage bushy ontogeny and check legginess .
In winter , keep the plants reasonably dry and wait between watering .
How To Propagate Pelargonium Peltatum
Whenpropagating geranium from seeds , they are best sown as soon as they ripen and accumulate from the yield .
Stored seeds should be sowed in former spring in a greenhouse .
The optimal temperature is somewhere around 55 ° degrees Fahrenheit ( 13 ° deoxycytidine monophosphate ) .
It may take the seed a upper limit of 2 weeks to germinate .
However , there are illustration when this time can get prolonged into months .
If you ’re sowing seeds outdoors , sow them in early summer and protect them from rough wintertime .
Geraniums alsopropagate easy from cuttings .
It is an easier way to propagate the plant as cuttings can follow at any time during the growing season .
However , early summer is the best time to do so .
Ivy Pest or Disease Problems
Ivy Geranium plant are fuck as some of the most tolerant plants .
They ’re tolerable to a lot of development problem .
However , job with pests and diseases can crop up from time to time .
Common problems include caterpillars , whiteflies , black fly , and aphids .
If you see signs of any other abnormality , consult your local gardening center or nursery for a solution .
Suggested Uses For Ivy Geranium
This plant is most often used by home gardener for its sporty flowers .
Since this plant climbs , spook , spread , and has a trailing habit , they make beautiful addition in houseplant gardens , beds , and borders , window box , hanging baskets , planters , containers , or used as a ground cover in quick climate .
The leaves of the Ivy Geranium plants are also used as a veggie .
They have a lemonlike taste and are eat unremarkably in their native earth .
Lastly , the flower petal are used to extract a bluish textile dye .
Pair this plant with Rozanne , a repeated geranium with staying magnate , to give your garden time of year - long colour .
The trailing stems and pretty flowers can make your harden colors pop .
