Using Pelargoniums (Geraniums) for Cut Flower - Foliage and Flowers

If you're looking to add a unique touch to flower arrangements and bouquets, Pelargoniums are an excellent choice. Their foliage offers a wide variety of leaf shapes, textures, and scents that can bring a special charm to any display.

Bouquets and Vases

For taller, stronger stems that can hold their own in a bouquet or vase, consider these varieties:

• ‘Radula’ – A firm favourite with a rose-lemon like fragrance, ‘Radula’ produces strong stems and lush, deep green, uniquely shaped leaves. This variety adds volume and interest to any display.
• ‘Graveolens’ – One of the older scented varieties, ‘Graveolens’ offers strong stems and bold leaves. Its fresh “geranium” lemon scent enhances its visual appeal with a delightful fragrance.
• ‘Charity’ – Like the others, ‘Charity’ has an upright growth habit and features lush green leaves, variegated green and gold leaves, making them stand out in a display. Its scent is more musky-lemon but still adds character.
• 'Sweet Mimosa' - This is a popular variety that has very attractive delicate soft pink flower with crinkled, aromatic green leaves of a delicious lemon and rose scent. Its upright habit and lush green leaves make it great as cut flower foliage.
• ‘Attar of Roses’ – This classic variety boasts a lemon-rose scent and upright growth, making it a reliable choice for strong stems. Its pretty green leaves complement floral displays beautifully.
• ‘Lady Plymouth’ – With elegant variegated leaves in grey-green and cream, this variety brings a touch of sophistication. Its relative, ‘Grey Lady Plymouth’, offers striking silver-grey foliage that’s perfect for adding texture and contrast.

Attar of Roses

Radula

Grey Lady Plymouth

Citrus-Scented Varieties

For a hint of citrus, consider these smaller but highly fragrant varieties:

• ‘Mabel Grey’ – Known for its powerful citrus scent, ‘Mabel Grey’ adds a bold aromatic element to arrangements. While it’s slower growing and a bit temperamental, its strong fragrance makes it may be worth the effort.
• ‘Lemon Kiss’ – This upright grower has intriguing green leaves and a vibrant lemon scent, perfect for freshening up any bouquet.
• ‘Prince of Orange’ – With smaller foliage and a delicate citrus-orange scent, this variety adds a subtle yet uplifting note to arrangements.

Posies and Table Decorations

For smaller posies or table decorations the citrus varieties above could be used but bushier varieties can provide excellent coverage and visual interest:

• ‘Fragrans’ and ‘Variegated Fragrans’ – These varieties offer a fruity-pine scent and compact, bushy growth, making them ideal for smaller, intimate arrangements.
• ‘Tomentosum’ and ‘Chocolate Peppermint’ – With larger leaves and a trailing effect, these varieties create a bold statement. Their unique foliage adds texture and depth to table decorations.

Pelargonium Flowers

Although Pelargonium flowers don't last long in a vase, they add a lovely burst of colour and unusual patterns. Favourites include:

• Zonal – 'Gustav Emich', 'Show Off', 'Evening Sky'
• Stellar – 'Arctic Star', 'Charmay Ward', 'Pamela Vaughn'
• Coloured Leaved – 'Caroline Schmitt', 'Gemma'
• Zonartic – 'Rushmoor Colorado', 'Rushmoor Amazon'

'Arctic Star'

'Charmay Ward'

'Gemma'

It is worth noting that older Pelargonium plants, over a year old, tend to produce stronger stems, making them even better for cut flowers. However, even younger plants like ‘Radula’, 'Charity' and ‘Attar of Roses’ are fast growers and can provide some nice stems in their first year.

Whatever you choose, Pelargoniums bring colour, fragrance and charm to any arrangement. Happy arranging from all of us at Growing Crazy!