Geraniums (Latin: Pelargonium) - not to be confused with the native cranesbills (Latin: Geranium) - are very popular balcony plants due to their abundance of flowers and their joy of blooming. There are over 200 different species, of which around 30 are cultivated in this country. Hanging geraniums in particular are very popular with balcony gardeners.
Which hanging geranium varieties are particularly popular?
Popular hanging geranium varieties are “Black Night” (dark purple-red), “White-Burgundy” (two-tone white-purple), “Royal Night” (dark red), “White Glacier” (white with red markings) and “Burgundy” (burgundy red). They reach a tendril length of up to 70 cm and should be planted at a distance of 20-30 cm.
Lush flower cascade
Pelargonium peltatum is the botanical name of hanging geraniums. They differ from other types of geraniums primarily in the length of their shoots - Tyrolean hanging geraniums, for example, can grow up to 150 meters long - as well as the shiny, ivy-like leaves. Hanging geraniums are available in many different colors: red, pink, violet and white are often represented in very different shades, although there are also many two-tone varieties. The flowers can also be double, semi-double or simply structured.
Special feature? Tyrolean hanging geraniums
Perhaps you also know these pictures or are often in Tyrol or some areas of Bavaria: On some houses, the house walls can no longer be seen because of the lush, waterfall-like cascade of flowering hanging geraniums. Before you start wondering why your balcony doesn't look like this: they are actually special varieties, but outside of Tyrol they grow no differently than normal hanging geraniums. Tyrolean farmers often plant their geraniums in multiple tiers, which gives the impression of particularly long geranium shoots, but is actually just a trick.
The most beautiful varieties of hanging geraniums
The following table offers you an overview of some of the most beautiful hanging geranium varieties.
| Variety | Flower color | Special features | vine length | Planting spacing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Night | very dark violet-red | unusual flower color | up to 70 cm | 20-30 cm |
| White-Burgundy | two-tone white-purple | don't need to be cleaned out | up to 70 cm | 20-30 cm |
| Royal Night | very dark red | rosebud flowers | up to 70 cm | 20-30 cm |
| White Glacier | snow white with red markings | very happy to grow | up to 70 cm | 20-30 cm |
| Burgundy | burgundy | self-cleaning | 60-80 cm | 20cm |
| Pink Sybil | bright pink | semi-hanging | 70cm | 20cm |
| Shocking pink | strong pink | great color | up to 70 cm | 20-30 cm |
| Villetta lilac | beautiful violet | strong growth | up to 70 cm | 20-30 cm |
| Quirin | dark purple | semi-hanging | up to 70 cm | 20cm |
| Tyrolean Fire | bright red | real Tyrolean hanging geraniums | 100 – 150 cm | 20cm |
| Alpina | white with red eye | real Tyrolean hanging geraniums | 100 – 150 cm | 20cm |
| Stellena | pink, white border | real Tyrolean hanging geraniums | 100 – 150 cm | 20cm |
Tip
Many geraniums - especially the varieties with double and semi-double flowers - are very sensitive to rain and should therefore be protected in rainy summers. Geraniums with simple flowers are often less sensitive in this regard.
