What to Plant With Geraniums: A Guide to Companion Planting
What to Plant With Geraniums?
When planting with geraniums, there are many compatible plants to choose from.
Some great options include catnip, chives, alliums, marigolds, nasturtiums, asparagus fern, sage, coleus, sweet potato vine, impatiens, wave petunias, creeping jenny, celosia, ivy, verbena, angelonia, variegated basil, canna, blue daze, spider plants, feverfew, tellima grandiflora, aquilegias, luzula nivea, ferns, and even other geranium varieties.
These plants will complement geraniums well, resulting in a vibrant and visually appealing garden.
Key Points:
- Many compatible plants can be planted with geraniums
- Catnip, chives, alliums, and marigolds are good options
- Nasturtiums, asparagus fern, and sage are also compatible
- Other compatible plants include coleus, sweet potato vine, and impatiens
- Creeping jenny, celosia, and ivy can also be planted with geraniums
- Planting these companion plants will create a vibrant and visually appealing garden
Did You Know?
1. Did you know that planting marigolds alongside geraniums can help repel harmful insects like aphids and nematodes? The strong scent of marigolds acts as a natural insect deterrent, ensuring healthier and happier geranium plants.
2. Another intriguing companion for geraniums is the humble basil plant. When planted together, basil can improve the flavor of the neighboring geraniums and even enhance their growth. Plus, you’ll have fresh basil leaves on hand for cooking!
3. If you’re looking to add some color and variety to your geranium bed, consider planting some petunias alongside them. Petunias and geraniums make fantastic companions since they have similar sun and water requirements and create a stunning floral display together.
4. For those who want to attract pollinators and boost the geranium’s blooming capabilities, planting lavender alongside them can be beneficial. Lavender’s aromatic flowers will attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects that promote cross-pollination.
5. Lastly, if you’re seeking a pop of foliage contrast in your geranium garden, consider planting ornamental grasses such as fountain grass or Japanese forest grass nearby. The feathery texture of these grasses can act as a beautiful backdrop, accentuating the vibrant flowers of your geraniums even more.
Catnip And Chives
Gardeners looking to enhance the beauty and benefits of their geraniums should consider planting catnip and chives as companions. Catnip, scientifically known as Nepeta cataria, is not only a favorite of feline friends but also serves as a pest deterrent. Its strong scent repels insects like aphids, mosquitoes, and squash bugs, protecting not only the geraniums but the entire garden. Meanwhile, chives (Allium schoenoprasum) are a versatile herb that complements geraniums nicely. Chives naturally repel aphids and deter Japanese beetles, making them ideal neighbors for geraniums. Additionally, their delicate purple flowers create a beautiful contrast to the geranium’s vibrant blooms.
- Catnip (Nepeta cataria) repels insects such as aphids, mosquitoes, and squash bugs.
- Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) naturally repel aphids and deter Japanese beetles.
- Chives’ delicate purple flowers create a beautiful contrast to the geranium’s vibrant blooms.
Alliums And Marigolds
Alliums, part of the onion family, are a group of stunning flowering plants that can add a touch of elegance to any garden. These plants, which include varieties like purple Sensation, Gladiator, and Mount Everest, not only offer a striking visual display but also serve as excellent companions to geraniums. Alliums help deter unwanted pests such as aphids, slugs, and snails while attracting beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies. Pairing alliums with marigolds is a fantastic way to create a visually appealing and functional garden. Marigolds are known for their pest-repellent properties, warding off nematodes, whiteflies, and Mexican bean beetles. Their bright orange/yellow flowers also complement the colorful blooms of geraniums.
Nasturtiums And Asparagus Fern
For those seeking a unique and dynamic combination, planting nasturtiums and asparagus fern alongside geraniums is worth considering. Nasturtiums, with their vibrant flowers ranging from yellow to red, are not only visually appealing but also serve as a sacrificial plant. Aphids are particularly attracted to nasturtiums, drawing them away from the geraniums and offering protection by keeping harmful infestations at bay. Asparagus fern, with its delicate, lacy foliage, complements geraniums beautifully. It adds a touch of elegance and texture to the garden, creating a visual contrast with the geranium’s bold blooms. Asparagus fern also acts as a natural mosquito repellent, making it an excellent choice for outdoor spaces.
Sage And Coleus
Pairing sage and coleus with geraniums not only adds diversity to the garden but also offers a range of benefits.
- Sage is known for its strong aroma and medicinal properties, making it an excellent companion for geraniums.
- Sage deters pests such as cabbage moths and carrot flies, which helps protect both the geraniums and nearby crops.
- Additionally, sage attracts beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, contributing to the overall health of the garden ecosystem.
On the other hand, coleus with its colorful foliage available in various shapes and patterns, offers a stunning contrast to the geranium’s blooms.
- Coleus plants also help deter pests like aphids, making them a valuable addition.
By combining sage, coleus, and geraniums in the garden, you can enjoy not only visual appeal but also reap the benefits of pest control and attracting beneficial insects.
- Pair sage and coleus with geraniums for diversity and benefits
- Sage deters cabbage moths and carrot flies, protecting geraniums and nearby crops
- Sage attracts bees and butterflies, contributing to the garden ecosystem
- Coleus offers colorful foliage as a contrast to geranium blooms
- Coleus helps deter pests like aphids, enhancing garden health.
Sweet Potato Vine And Impatiens
The combination of sweet potato vine and impatiens creates a visually striking and complementary display alongside geraniums.
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Sweet potato vine, with its cascading foliage in shades of green, purple, or even black, adds depth and texture to the garden. It also acts as a ground cover, smothering weeds and conserving moisture.
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Impatiens, known for their vibrant and showy flowers, create a beautiful contrast to the geranium’s blooms. These shade-loving plants are perfect for planting under taller geranium varieties and help to create a harmonious visual effect.
Additionally, impatiens attract beneficial pollinators, enhancing the overall health of the garden ecosystem.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What plants look good with geraniums?
Geraniums, with their big, rounded heads, can be complemented by a variety of plants to create an aesthetically pleasing garden. For a visually striking contrast, consider pairing geraniums with spiky plants like yucca or agave. The sharp, architectural forms of these plants enhance the softness and vibrancy of the geranium flowers. Additionally, to add a touch of elegance and grace, plants with fine-textured foliage such as lavender or baby’s breath can beautifully accentuate the geraniums, creating a visually harmonious garden.
Where best to plant geraniums?
The ideal location to plant geraniums is in a spot that receives full sun, whether in containers, hanging baskets, or flower beds. Although they can be grown in different types of garden soil, geraniums thrive best in neutral to alkaline soil. If cultivating them under glass, it is advisable to shield them from direct sun during the peak of summer to prevent scorching.
What do geraniums attract?
In addition to attracting butterflies and hummingbirds, annual geraniums have been known to attract various species of bees. Bees are highly attracted to the bright and vibrant colors of the geranium flowers, making them excellent pollinators for your garden. With their buzzing activity, bees diligently gather nectar and collect pollen from the geraniums, contributing to the overall pollination process and enhancing the vitality of your garden ecosystem. So, planting geraniums in your garden can create a vibrant and buzzing environment that will attract these industrious pollinators.
Do geraniums prefer sun or shade?
Geraniums thrive in sunny environments and require a substantial amount of light to bloom abundantly. It is recommended to provide them with 4-6 hours of full sun each day, or even longer in partially shaded areas. Ideally, placing geraniums in south or west-facing exposures will ensure they receive adequate sunlight, aiding in their prolific flowering. However, be cautious not to expose geraniums to excessive amounts of fertilizer, as this can also hinder their blooming process.