Geraniums and pelargoniums are easy-to-grow perennials familiar to most gardeners but often confused with one another. While both are in the geranium family, the most common plants sold as geraniums are actually pelargoniums.

True geraniums are the “cranesbills,” hardy North American and European herbaceous perennials. The cranesbill name comes from the seedhead that develops after flowering — it resembles a beak. Cranesbills’ blooms have five equal petals. Pelargoniums are semi-tender or tender perennials, mostly from South Africa. They also have five petals but two grow in one direction and three in the other.

Here are the four basic types of geraniums:

• Common or Zonal Geraniums (Pelargonium x hortorum) — This is the classic bedding plant, which typically comes to mind when one says “geranium.” Deriving its name from the “zoned” leaf markings, it thrives both in containers as single specimens or planted in swaths in the landscape. Requiring minimum care, it is one of the most rewarding and versatile plants in the garden. Most commonly available in single- or double-flowered types, blossoms are white, salmon, pink, orange, magenta, lavender or brilliant red. Some varieties have bicolored blossoms. Within this group are “stellars,” with thin, spiky star-shaped petals and finger-like leaves.

• Regal and Angel Geraniums (Pelargonium domesticum) — The Regals, also known as Martha Washington geraniums, are bushy plants with large blossoms, single or double flowers in dramatic colors and patterns. Regals tend to be spring blooming, requiring low nighttime temperatures to bud. Angels are smaller versions of Regals developed for their dazzling blooms, which look somewhat like pansies.

• Scented-Leaf Geranium (Pelargonium domesticum) — Scented-leaf geraniums are coveted heirloom plants, still grown for their pleasing fragrance, unusual foliage, delicate flowers, essential oil and culinary use. The scent, created by oils in the leaves, is released when the leaves are rubbed or bruised. The fragrance of a scented-leaf geranium may remind you of roses, lemons, cloves, nutmeg, pine, peppermint, apple, pineapple, chocolate or coconut.

• Ivy-Leaf Geranium (Pelargonium peltatum) — These plants have long, brittle stems full of sculptured, ivy-shaped leaves and gracefully trailing habits.

They are popular for hanging baskets, window-boxes and containers. Flowering abundantly throughout the summer, they have smaller, looser flower umbels of single, semidouble or double blossoms in shades of deep maroon, red or pink.

Geraniums and pelargoniums do best with at least six hours of full sun. They will flower less with light shade. Use well-drained soil and only water them when the soil is dry.

They don’t like water on their leaves or blooms so avoid an overhead sprayer. Give the roots enough room to spread. Both will bloom from spring through fall, and pinching back the plants prevents the plant from getting leggy. See planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/annuals-perennials/1070-geranium-types

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