Oxford Geranium Geranium × oxonianum 'Beholder's Eye'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The Geranium × oxonianum 'Beholder's Eye' is a perennial plant known for its eye-catching foliage and flowers. The leaves are rounded and have a lobed margin, displaying a lush, green color that often has a slight sheen on the surface. During the flowering season, the plant produces abundant blooms that are a vibrant shade of pink with a distinctive veining pattern that is often a darker pink or magenta. The petals are slightly ruffled at the edges, adding a touch of elegance to the overall appearance. The center of each flower usually has a paler or white area, which creates a striking contrast with the darker veins, hence the name "Beholder's Eye". The plant is also known for its mounded form, which gives it a bushy, dense look that is often used to create a full and textured effect in gardens.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Geraniaceae.
- Synonyms
  Oxford Geranium, Beholder's Eye.
- Common names
  Geranium × oxonianum 'Beholder's Eye'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Hardy Geraniums, which would include Geranium × oxonianum 'Beholder's Eye', are generally not considered toxic to humans. Most species within the Geranium genus are non-toxic, and there's no widespread evidence of them causing harm upon ingestion. However, it's always advisable to avoid eating ornamental plants, as individual reactions can vary, and some people might be sensitive to certain plant compounds.
- To pets
  Hardy Geraniums are also considered non-toxic to pets. This includes Geranium × oxonianum 'Beholder's Eye'. They are not known to cause any serious harm if ingested by animals such as cats and dogs. However, as with humans, individual pets may vary in their sensitivity, and it's best to discourage pets from chewing on any plants to prevent any potential stomach upset or other mild reactions.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Pink
- Height
  18 inches (45 cm)
- Spread
  24 inches (60 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  5
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attractive Flowers: Geranium × oxonianum 'Beholder's Eye' boasts eye-catching blooms that can add aesthetic appeal to gardens and landscapes.
- Pollinator Friendly: The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, supporting local biodiversity.
- Low Maintenance: It is known for being easy to care for, requiring minimal upkeep once established.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it can tolerate periods of dryness, making it suitable for gardens in water-conservative areas.
- Ground Cover: Its growth habit can help to cover ground quickly, suppressing weeds and reducing garden maintenance.
- Long Blooming Period: Offers a long flowering season, providing color and interest in the garden for an extended period.
- Deer Resistance: Generally resistant to deer, which can be beneficial in areas where deer predation is a problem.
- Versatility: Can be used in borders, rock gardens, as underplanting for shrubs, or in containers, adding versatility to garden design.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- As a natural fabric dye: The leaves and flowers of the geranium can be boiled to produce a natural dye for fabric, yielding a range of colors from pale yellow to green, depending on the mordant used.
- As an educational tool: Geraniums can be used in schools or educational workshops to teach children about plant biology, pollination, and the life cycle of plants.
- In art and photography: The attractive blooms and foliage of geraniums make them excellent subjects for botanical illustrations, paintings, and photography projects.
- As a moth deterrent: The scent of geranium leaves is said to repel moths, so placing leaves in wardrobes or drawers can help protect clothes from damage.
- In culinary decoration: Though not commonly eaten, the petals of certain geranium species can be used to decorate cakes and pastries.
- As a natural confetti: Dried geranium petals can be used as an environmentally friendly confetti alternative at weddings and celebrations.
- For color-themed gardening: Geraniums come in various shades, making them suitable for creating monochromatic or color-themed garden designs.
- As a companion plant: Geraniums are believed to help repel pests from neighboring plants in the garden, thus serving as a companion plant.
- In sensory gardens: The diverse textures and fragrances of geraniums make them ideal for inclusion in gardens designed to provide a stimulating sensory experience.
- For crafts and potpourri: Dried geranium leaves and flowers can be incorporated into homemade crafts or potpourri mixes to add fragrance to a room.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Geranium is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Geranium is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Stability and Grounding: Geraniums symbolize stability because they are hardy plants that can grow in a variety of conditions. 'Beholder's Eye' represents a grounding presence in one's life.
- Comfort: The Geranium is often associated with comfort due the plant's lush foliage and the pleasant scent of its leaves, suggesting a nurturing environment.
- Health and Longevity: Geraniums are traditionally used in folk medicine, symbolizing a wish for good health and long life for the recipient.
- Friendship: The plant can represent positive emotions and sentiments, making it a symbol for the enduring nature of friendship.
- Ingenuity: Because Geraniums can adapt and thrive in various conditions, they symbolize cleverness and resourcefulness.
- Happiness and Positive Emotions: With beautiful blossoms, Geraniums, including 'Beholder's Eye', evoke joy and the uplifting of spirits, symbolizing overall happiness.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 1-2 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The Oxford Geranium should be watered deeply once the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which typically equates to once a week during the growing season. In hotter, drier periods, this plant may require more frequent watering, possibly every 3-5 days. During the cooler months, reduce watering to every other week as the plant's water requirements decrease. Typically, it's best to provide about 1 gallon of water per plant at each watering session to ensure the roots are sufficiently hydrated.
Light
Oxford Geraniums thrive in spots that offer full sun to partial shade. Ideally, place them in a location where they can receive at least 4-6 hours of sunlight daily. These plants benefit from morning sunlight and some afternoon shade, particularly in hotter climates, to prevent scorching of the foliage.
Temperature
Oxford Geraniums prefer temperate climates with temperatures ranging from 55°F to 75°F for optimal growth. They can tolerate a slight frost, but extended exposure to temperatures below 30°F can be harmful. During summer, they can withstand short periods of higher temperatures, up to 80°F, as long as they are not in full sun all day.
Pruning
Prune Oxford Geraniums in early spring by cutting back any dead or overgrown foliage to promote bushy growth and enhance flowering potential. Deadheading spent blooms throughout the growing season will encourage continued flowering. Additionally, a thorough cutback can be done in late autumn to prepare the plant for winter and stimulate fresh growth in the spring.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The best soil mix for Geranium × oxonianum 'Wargrave Pink' is well-draining soil rich in organic matter, with a pH ranging from 5.8 to 6.3 to ensure optimal growth.
Repotting
The 'Wargrave Pink' typically requires repotting every 2-3 years to refresh the soil and accommodate root growth.
Humidity & Misting
The 'Wargrave Pink' prefers average humidity levels but is adaptable to various indoor conditions and does not require high humidity.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place 'Wargrave Pink' in bright, indirect light with good air circulation.
- Outdoor
  Plant 'Wargrave Pink' in part shade and well-drained soil.
- Hardiness zone
  5-9 USDA.
Life cycle
Geranium × oxonianum 'Beholder's Eye', commonly known as Oxford Geranium, starts its life cycle with seed germination, which occurs in a moist, well-draining soil with adequate warmth. Seedlings emerge with their first pair of true leaves and gradually develop a rosette of foliage as they grow. In maturity, during spring to summer, the Oxford Geranium produces distinct pink to lavender flowers with darker veining, attracting pollinators and aiding in reproduction. After pollination, the flowers develop into seed capsules, commonly called "cranesbills" due to their beak-like appearance. As the seeds mature, they are eventually dispersed from the parent plant, potentially giving rise to new plants if conditions are suitable. Finally, in the winter or during periods of dormancy, the above-ground growth may die back, but the plant will regrow from its robust rootstock with the arrival of warmer weather.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- The Geranium × oxonianum 'Beholder's Eye', commonly known as the Hardy Geranium or Cranesbill, can be propagated most effectively through division. The best time to propagate by division is either in early spring or early fall when the plant is not in active growth. To propagate by division, carefully dig up the entire plant, ensuring to maintain a good amount of root mass. Using a sharp knife or spade, divide the plant into smaller sections, each with an adequate amount of roots and shoots for independent growth. Replant the divisions promptly in well-draining soil, spacing them at intervals to allow sufficient room for growth. Water the new plants thoroughly to help establish them, providing up to an inch (2.54 cm) of water per week unless there is sufficient rainfall.