30% OFF Herbs Now – 5/12/26

Garden Classic

GARDEN GERANIUMS Geraniums are a truly a garden classic. Did you know that two types of geraniums exist? Seed geraniums and zonal geraniums.

Garden Classic

melpers

GARDEN GERANIUMS

Geraniums are a truly a garden classic. Did you know that two types of geraniums exist? Seed geraniums and zonal geraniums. Choosing the right type for the garden depends on several factors and there are reasons to grow both depending on personal preference and where you are going to be using them.

Garden geraniums are ideally suited for use in flower beds, where you may need many plants to fill the space. Zonal geraniums are most often used in pots and combination planters where you are looking for a “star” in the container. Here are the differences between the two:

Garden Geraniums

  • Grown from seed
  • Limited selection of colors including red, pink or white
  • Grown in a 4-inch square pot making 18 plants per tray

Zonal Geraniums

  • Grown from cuttings, allowing for consistency in the variety
  • Wide range of vibrant colors including dark red, hot pink, violet, white, tangerine and many more
  • Grown in a round pot, with 8 to 15 plants per tray
  • The name zonal comes from the dark eye zone in the leaf
Recent Blog
The Best Perennials to Plant Right Now in Coastal Virginia
How to Make Low-Maintenance Spring Containers for Busy Schedules
How to Grow Million Bells & Petunias for Nonstop Spring Color

Related Articles

The Best Perennials to Plant Right Now in Coastal Virginia

Early May is one of the best times to plant perennials in Coastal Virginia. The soil has warmed up, nights are comfortable, and plants can establish quickly before the real...

How to Make Low-Maintenance Spring Containers for Busy Schedules

Spring color doesn’t have to come with a long to-do list. If your schedule is packed but you still want a front porch, patio, or deck that feels fresh and...

How to Grow Million Bells & Petunias for Nonstop Spring Color

If you want nonstop spring-to-fall color in hanging baskets, containers, and sunny garden beds, few plants deliver quite like Calibrachoa (Million Bells) and Petunias. These fast-growing annuals are favorites for...

Explore McDonald Garden Center