What to Plant With a Pink Geranium
Geraniums are a common, but beautiful garden feature found worldwide. Several varieties of pink geranium thrive well in warmer climates, such as the "Ballerina" variety, hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant zones 4 through 10, or the "Bloody Cranesbill," which thrive in USDA zones 3 through 8. When deciding what to plant with a pink geranium, consider several things.
Geraniums grow well both in the ground or planted in containers, and have a slightly trailing bushiness to them. Plant them in a hanging basket or window box with other trailing plants, like any of the petunias (genus Petunia), which thrive in USDA zones 10 and 11. Along a border, pair them with another relatively low-growing, bushy plant such as purple-flowered vinca (Vinca minor), in hardy in USDA zones 4 through 8..
Generally geraniums prefer full sun, though in hotter climates some afternoon shade preserves flowers longer. Plant with species that also prefer lots of sun, such as pot marigold (Calendula officinalis), hardy in USDA zones 2 through 11; or star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides), which thrive in USDA zones 8 through 10. Be careful when pairing them with other sun-loving plants to keep them far enough away from each other so that they don't shade each other too much.
Geraniums require watering when rainfall is less than 1 inch per week, so pair them with plants that have similarly light summer watering schedules. Good options are any of the baby's breath varieties (genus Gypsophila), or the aforementioned petunias and marigolds. Although geraniums enjoy well-drained soil, in hotter climates you should plant them in a moister bed with some afternoon shade. This will ensure plant health and extend the blooms.
Since geraniums grow bushy and somewhat low to the ground, plant them with taller plants for a contrasting effect along borders and at the edges of yards. Big-leafed hydrangeas such as the "Homigo" cultivar (Hydrangea macrophylla), hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9, have similar water and light requirements; so does English lavender variety "Hidcote" (Lavandula angustifolia), which thrives in USDA zones 5 through 8. Just don't plant geraniums too close, or they may get shaded out.
- Fine Gardening: Genus Geranium (Cranesbill)
- University of Rhode Island Landscape Horticulture Program: Geranium Culture
- National Gardening Association: Geranium
- Missouri Botanical Gardens: Petunia Group
- Missouri Botanical Gardens: Vinca Minor
- Missouri Botanical Gardens: Calendula Officinalis
- Missouri Botanical Gardens: Trachelospermum Jasminoides
- Missouri Botanical Gardens: Hydrangea Macrophylla 'Homigo'
- Missouri Botanical Gardens: Lavandula Angustifolia 'Hidcote'
- University of Vermont: Gysophila
Sarah Moore has been a writer, editor and blogger since 2006. She holds a master's degree in journalism.