Expand your geranium horizons with the cool-season member of the family: Martha Washington geranium (Pelargonium x domesticum). Also known as regal geraniums, this group of geraniums features richly colored blooms with petals that resemble velvet. Petals have a lovely ruffled effect that enhances the plants’ luxurious feel. The color range on Martha Washington geranium flowers falls into red-purple shades, including lavender, pink, burgundy and purple. White also appears in the blossom mix, along with a host of wonderfully-painted bicolor blooms. Two common patterns are solid petals with white edging or white centers. Martha Washington geraniums prefer fertile, well-drained soil. In landscape beds, amend soil with plenty of organic matter prior to planting. In containers, use a commercial soil-less mix developed for use in planters. These mixes provide the right drainage for plants in a container to thrive. Martha Washington geraniums are susceptible to root rot, so avoid overwatering plants or tucking them into heavy clay soils in planting beds. Place your Martha Washington geraniums where they’ll receive direct sun, but protect them from hottest afternoon sun in all regions.
