Scarlet in the garden
Scarlet pelargoniums are probably the most recognisable of all. Their bold, rounded flower clusters sit on stiff stems over lightly scented, rounded leaves. They have been grown in Australian gardens for generations and still turn up at verandahs, church steps and country cottages.
What does red mean?
For a red geranium's meaning, you will find different answers. In Victorian flower dictionaries, geraniums as a whole were given various meanings, and these varied by colour and by book. Modern buyers tend to see red simply as a symbol of warmth and cheerfulness.
Keeping the display going
Red pelargoniums respond to attention.
- Pick off spent flower heads at the base of the stalk.
- Feed monthly during the warm months with a balanced fertiliser.
- Water deeply, then let the pot dry out a little.
- Pinch back long stems in late winter to promote a bushy shape.
- Check under leaves for rust and caterpillars.
Where red sits in the year
Spring and autumn give the best colour in most parts of the country, with heat slowing flowering in midsummer. At Christmas in the heat, a red geranium in a pot needs regular water and some midday shade. In frost-prone Canberra and the Tablelands, protect pots on cold nights.
Safety around scarlet pots
The ASPCA lists the genus as a hazard for dogs, cats and horses, naming geraniol and linalool. Vomiting, depression and dermatitis are possible, so keep pots out of reach.
