Pelargonium 'Ashfield Serenade' (Z)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Pelargonium 'Ashfield Serenade' is a striking plant with a well-branched and bushy growth habit. Its foliage consists of heart-shaped leaves that are soft to the touch due to their velvety texture. The leaves have a lush green color and may exhibit some zoning, which refers to darker circular patterns on the leaves that can add visual interest. Come bloom time, 'Ashfield Serenade' really shows off with an abundance of flowers. The blossoms are usually bicolored, presenting a captivating display that can include shades of pink, red, or purple, often with darker markings on the upper petals. The flowers are rounded, with five petals that are slightly ruffled along the edges, giving them a gentle, romantic appearance. The arrangement of the flowers is also notable, as they appear in clusters or umbels at the end of the stems, providing a burst of color that can easily grab attention. This, combined with the pleasing foliage, makes 'Ashfield Serenade' a popular choice among gardeners looking for a plant that offers both interesting foliage and delightful floral displays.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Geraniaceae.
- Synonyms
  Zonal Geranium, Garden Geranium, Common Geranium.
- Common names
  Pelargonium 'Ashfield Serenade'
Toxicity
- To humans
  Geraniums, including the Pelargonium 'Ashfield Serenade' variety, are not commonly known to be toxic to humans. However, they can cause minor skin irritations in some sensitive individuals. If ingested, they might cause mild gastrointestinal upset, but they are not considered poisonous. There is no widespread evidence of serious poisoning or life-threatening consequences from ingesting geraniums.
- To pets
  Geraniums can be toxic to pets, particularly to cats and dogs. If ingested, they may cause symptoms such as vomiting, anorexia, depression, and dermatitis. In some cases, ingestion can lead to more severe reactions in pets. Therefore, it is recommended to keep geraniums, including the Pelargonium 'Ashfield Serenade', out of reach of household pets to prevent accidental ingestion.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Pink
- Height
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Spread
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  10
- Native area
  South Africa

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attractive Flowers: Pelargonium 'Ashfield Serenade' offers showy and colorful blooms that enhance the visual appeal of gardens and spaces.
- Low Maintenance: It is known for being easy to care for, requiring minimal attention once established.
- Drought Tolerance: This plant is drought-resistant, making it suitable for regions with water scarcity and for gardeners seeking water-wise plants.
- Versatile Planting: It can be used in various garden settings, including borders, containers, and as bedding plants.
- Long Blooming Period: The plant has a long flowering season, providing color and vibrancy for an extended period in the garden.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers can attract beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies, supporting local ecosystems.
- Deer Resistance: Pelargonium 'Ashfield Serenade' is typically resistant to deer, making it a good choice for gardens in areas with deer populations.
- Scented Foliage: The leaves of the plant can be fragrant, adding a sensory dimension to the garden experience.
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
- Insect Repellant: Certain compounds in the scent of scented geranium can deter pests, making it useful when planted around a patio or window sills.
- Scented Drawer Liners: Dried leaves from scented geranium can be used to line drawers or closets, providing a fresh and pleasant aroma to clothes and linens.
- Natural Dye: The leaves of scented geranium can be used to create a natural dye for fabrics or paper crafting, offering a range of colors depending on mordants used.
- Aromatherapy: The scent emitted by the scented geranium's leaves can be used in aromatherapy to create a calming and stress-relieving environment.
- Potpourri Ingredient: Dried leaves and flowers can be included in potpourri mixes, adding fragrance and beauty.
- Decorative Ice Cubes: Fresh leaves can be frozen in ice cube trays to create ornamental and flavored ice cubes for drinks.
- Flavoring in Baking: The edible leaves can be used to infuse sugars or directly incorporated into baked goods for a subtle flavoring.
- Natural Crafts: Leaves and flowers can be used in natural craft projects, such as making scented bookmarks, or for adding to homemade paper.
- Culinary Garnish: Edible flowers and leaves can be used to garnish salads, desserts, and cocktails, providing a splash of color and mild flavor.
- Educational Tool: Scented geraniums can be used in educational settings to teach about plant physiology, pollination, and the use of plants in society.

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
- Comfort: Geraniums, including the Pelargonium 'Ashfield Serenade', are often associated with comfort and solace, offering a sense of familiarity and ease.
- Friendship: They can symbolize close friendships and positive relationships, with their bright and uplifting blooms representing the joy of companionship.
- Health and Healing: Traditionally, geraniums were used for their medicinal properties, which translates symbolically into wishes of good health and recovery.
- Good Luck: In some cultures, geraniums are seen as a plant that brings good luck, especially when given as a gift.
- Fertility: With its lush, full foliage and continuous flowering, the geranium can be a symbol of fertility and abundance.
- Happiness: The vibrant and perky flowers of geraniums epitomize happiness, cheerfulness, and contentment.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 1-2 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
For Scented Geraniums like 'Ashfield Serenade', ensure the soil is kept evenly moist. It is best to water deeply once the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch—typically about once a week. Adjust the watering frequency based on the humidity, temperature, and light conditions. During active growing seasons like spring and summer, you might need to water more frequently than in the fall and winter. Approximately 16-24 ounces of water should be sufficient each time for a medium-sized pot, ensuring not to leave the plant standing in water.
Light
Scented Geraniums thrive in bright, indirect light. Place your 'Ashfield Serenade' in a location where it can receive at least six hours of sunlight daily, such as near a south-facing window. Avoid direct midday sun, which can scorch the leaves, but do provide some direct light in the morning or late afternoon for optimal growth.
Temperature
Scented Geraniums prefer temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit for ideal growth. They can tolerate temperatures as low as 30 degrees Fahrenheit but should be protected from frosts. Keep 'Ashfield Serenade' away from drafts and sudden temperature changes to maintain its health.
Pruning
Prune Scented Geraniums to encourage bushy growth and prevent legginess. Trim back the plant after it has bloomed, typically in early spring or summer. Remove any dead or yellowing leaves whenever necessary. Pruning also helps promote air circulation, which is crucial for the health of the plant.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The best soil mix for geraniums like Pelargonium 'Ashfield Serenade' is well-draining potting mix, consisting of peat, perlite, and compost. Optimal soil pH is slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0.
Repotting
Geraniums, such as Pelargonium 'Ashfield Serenade', typically need repotting every one to two years. Regular repotting promotes healthy growth and prevents root-bound conditions.
Humidity & Misting
Geraniums, including Pelargonium 'Ashfield Serenade', prefer moderate humidity levels. They can thrive in average household humidity but ensure good air circulation to prevent disease.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright, indirect light and avoid overwatering.
- Outdoor
  Provide full sun to partial shade and protect from strong winds.
- Hardiness zone
  10-11 USDA
Life cycle
The Pelargonium 'Ashfield Serenade', commonly known as a type of Geranium, begins its life as a seed, which germinates in warm, moist soil. Upon germination, the seedling emerges and develops into a young plant with true leaves, entering the vegetative growth stage where it develops a robust root system and foliage. As the plant matures, it enters the flowering stage, producing vibrant flowers that attract pollinators and may lead to seed formation if fertilization occurs. Following pollination, the plant develops seed capsules that eventually dry and release seeds, completing the reproductive cycle. In the absence of frost, the Geranium can continuously grow and may enter a period of dormancy during colder months, reducing growth until favorable conditions return. Over time, the plant can become woody and may require pruning to maintain shape and encourage new growth.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- Propogation: The Pelargonium 'Ashfield Serenade', commonly known as a type of Geranium, is typically propagated through stem cuttings. This method is popular due to its simplicity and effectiveness in producing new plants that are genetically identical to the parent. The ideal time for taking stem cuttings is during the late spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. To propagate by cuttings, a healthy stem about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) long is selected, and all but the top few leaves are removed. The cut end is then dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development and planted in a pot filled with a moistened mix of peat and perlite. The pot is kept in a warm, brightly lit area, avoiding direct sunlight, until roots have established, which typically takes about 3 to 4 weeks.