We all know geraniums because they are a full sun, low maintenance stand bye of the classic window box or cemetery pot. The usual color of a geranium is green or green with a brown ring-thus the term Zonal geranium. Fancy leaved geraniums take this a step further with neat variations in both leaf form and color variegation. The most spectacular types are the Stellars and Tricolors which appear with overlapping colors of green, gold, red, cream, and shades of brown (depending on the variety). The leaf form is more delicate than the traditional geraniums with a maple or star-like shape with seven to nine pointed lobes. I find their mostly single blooms more charming than their relatives, with a lovely array of colors from white to fuchsia, coral, red, salmon and rosy purple shades.
Fancy leaf geranium can take more shade than their cousins but otherwise can be grown in much the same way. Let the soil dry between watering and fertilize every one to two weeks in the summer. These geraniums make excellent houseplants on a sunny window sill in the winter. We hope to have many varieties here at O'Donals from Mid May through June, including many of the ones listed below.
Gold-leaved: Green to yellow with darker green beneath and sometimes a central brown splotch. Best variety is 'Happy Thought.'
Silver-leaved: Some leaves have no chlorophyll and are completely white or cream, others are edged in green. Often these have been crossed with ivy- type geraniums which provide a trailing habit. One variety called 'Crocodile' has a net like crackling, producing a meshed appearance.
Tricolor and Stellars: The variety we love and our customers have crooned about is called 'Vancouver Centennial.' This has delicate maple-like leaves and is green with reddish brown zones. Also look for 'Mrs. Henry Cox', 'Crystal Palace Gem', 'Bird Dancer', and 'Henry Languth.'