Geranium Pelargonium 'Renee Ross' (I/d)
ABOUT
The Pelargonium 'Renee Ross' is a popular variety known for its visually striking features. The plant boasts lush, green foliage that offers a brilliant contrast to its vibrant blooms. The leaves are heart-shaped with a soft, velvety texture and may have a faint zonal pattern, which refers to a darker color that forms a sort of 'zone' in the center. It's the flowers, however, that are the true stars of this plant. The blooms of 'Renee Ross' are generously sized, grouped together in clusters atop long stems that rise above the foliage. Each flower is a sumptuous display of petals that can vary in shades from a soft pastel to a deep, vivid color. The petals themselves may have a ruffled or crinkled texture, giving them a lush, full-bodied look. The color palette for the flowers typically revolves around pinks, purples, and whites, often featuring striking patterns such as streaks or edges of contrasting colors. This plant often displays its flamboyant blooms in the warmer seasons, offering not just a visual treat but often a subtle, pleasant fragrance that can make it a favorite among gardeners and those who appreciate outdoor color and scents. When cared for properly, the 'Renee Ross' can be a robust and decorative addition to container gardens, borders, or as a standalone feature in any space where the aim is to introduce a pop of natural beauty.
About this plant
- Names
Synonyms
Renee Ross Geranium, Renee Ross Pelargonium.
Common names
Pelargonium 'Renee Ross'
- Toxicity
To humans
Pelargonium 'Renee Ross', commonly known as a type of Geranium, is not considered highly toxic to humans. However, ingestion may cause minor symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It is important to be aware that individuals with sensitive skin might experience dermatitis from handling the plant excessively. Ingesting any part of this plant is generally not advised, and if symptoms arise, medical attention should be sought.
To pets
Geraniums, including the Pelargonium 'Renee Ross', are known to be toxic to pets such as dogs and cats. If ingested, the plant can cause symptoms like vomiting, anorexia, depression, and dermatitis. In rare cases, ingestion can lead to more serious conditions such as hypotension (low blood pressure), which would require immediate veterinary care. It is recommended to keep this plant out of reach of pets to avoid possible poisoning.
- Characteristics
Life cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Varies
Flower color
Mixed
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
- Aesthetic Appeal: Pelargonium 'Renee Ross', commonly known as Scented Geranium, features vibrant flowers and decorative foliage that enhance garden beauty and create visual interest.
- Fragrance: Scented Geraniums are known for their aromatic leaves, which can add a pleasant fragrance to gardens and indoor spaces when brushed or touched.
- Versatility: Scented Geraniums are suitable for growing in containers, hanging baskets, or as part of a mixed border, offering flexibility for various garden designs and spaces.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers of Scented Geraniums attract beneficial pollinators such as bees and butterflies, aiding in the pollination of nearby plants.
- Drought Tolerance: Scented Geraniums have moderate drought tolerance, making them a good choice for water-wise gardens and for gardeners in areas with water restrictions.
- Easy Propagation: These plants can be easily propagated from cuttings, allowing gardeners to create more plants for their own use or to share with others.
- Low Maintenance: Pelargonium 'Renee Ross' is generally easy to care for, requiring minimal attention once established, and is relatively pest and disease-resistant.
- 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
- Pelargoniums, commonly known as geraniums, can be used to make a colorful natural dye for fabrics, with shades depending on the color of the flowers used.
- The leaves of geraniums can be infused in water to make a fragrant rinse for pets, leaving their fur with a pleasant scent.
- When dried, the leaves of geraniums can be incorporated into homemade potpourris to provide a lasting, sweet fragrance to a room.
- Pressed or dried geranium flowers can be used in crafting, such as in making bookmarks, greeting cards, or in scrapbooking to add natural beauty and color.
- Geranium leaves can be placed in drawers or closets as a natural moth repellent to protect clothes from damage.
- Edible varieties of geranium leaves can be used to flavor sugar by layering leaves and sugar together to infuse the scent and taste.
- Geraniums can be used in container water gardens as a decorative floating element, although they need to be kept in a way they don't submerge and rot.
- The strong scent of geranium leaves can deter pests from other plants in the garden when grown as companion plants.
- The flowers of geraniums can be frozen in ice cubes to add a decorative and slightly flavored touch to drinks during summer gatherings.
- Geranium petals can be used to decorate and add a splash of color to desserts or salads, where edible varieties are known to be safe for consumption.
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: Pelargoniums, commonly known as "geraniums," are often associated with comfort due to their cozy and familiar appearance, often found adorning homes and gardens.
- Healing: Geraniums have a history of being used in folk medicine, symbolizing the plant's connection to healing both physical and emotional ailments.
- Friendship: As a plant that is commonly shared and propagated among friends, geraniums can represent the bond and affection shared in friendships.
- Good Health: With their brightly colored flowers and pleasant scent, geraniums are often associated with vitality and good health.
- Positive Energy: The vibrant colors and robust nature of geraniums convey a sense of positivity, making them a symbol of good spirits and positive energy.
- Water
Geraniums, including the Pelargonium 'Renee Ross', prefer soil that is kept evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water them thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which typically means watering once every 7 to 10 days, but this can vary based on temperature and humidity. Ensure proper drainage to avoid root rot. Depending on the size of the pot and the environmental conditions, watering with about 16 to 32 ounces of water at a time should suffice. It's crucial to avoid overhead watering to prevent leaf spot diseases; instead, water directly at the base of the plant.
- Light
Geraniums require plenty of bright, indirect light to thrive. The perfect spot for a Pelargonium 'Renee Ross' would be a location where it receives at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. East or south-facing windows are often ideal indoors, while a position that provides morning sunlight and afternoon shade is best outdoors. Avoid direct midday sun, which could scorch the leaves.
- Temperature
Geraniums, including Pelargonium 'Renee Ross', grow best in temperatures between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit and can survive as long as the temperature remains above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. They should be protected from frost, which can be detrimental. The ideal temperature range is also conducive to flowering and promoting healthy growth.
- Pruning
Pruning Geraniums encourages bushier growth and more blooms. For Pelargonium 'Renee Ross', prune back leggy stems and deadhead spent flowers regularly throughout the growing season to promote new growth. The best time for a more substantial pruning is in early spring or just before the plant resumes active growth, typically removing up to one-third of the plant.
- Cleaning
As needed
- Soil
Geranium 'Renee Ross' thrives in well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. A good soil mix recipe is one part peat, one part perlite or coarse sand, and one part loam. This combination provides aeration, moisture retention, and nutrients, creating optimal growth conditions.
- Repotting
Geranium 'Renee Ross' should generally be repotted every one to two years or when it outgrows its current container. Fresh soil and a slightly larger pot encourage health and growth.
- Humidity & Misting
Geranium 'Renee Ross' prefers moderate humidity levels. Average indoor humidity is usually adequate, but avoid excessively high humidity to prevent disease.
- Suitable locations
Indoor
Place Geranium 'Renee Ross' in bright, indirect light indoors.
Outdoor
Plant Geranium 'Renee Ross' in full sun to partial shade outside.
Hardiness zone
9-12 USDA
- Life cycle
Pelargonium 'Renee Ross', commonly known as the Renee Ross geranium, begins its life as a seed, typically germinating within a few weeks under the right conditions of warmth and moisture. After sprouting, the seedling develops true leaves and a root system, entering a vegetative growth phase where it rapidly increases in size. Throughout spring and summer, the mature plant enters a flowering stage, producing distinctive and ornamental blooms which are often vibrant in color and can be used for cuttings to propagate new plants. Following pollination, the flowers may develop into fruit capsules containing seeds, completing the reproductive cycle. As an evergreen perennial, it can continue to grow and produce flowers for several years, particularly in climates without hard frosts, though in cooler regions they are often treated as annuals or overwintered indoors. Eventually, environmental stress, disease, or aging may cause the plant to enter senescence, where it gradually declines and dies.
- Propogation
Propogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: The most popular method for propagating the Pelargonium 'Renee Ross', commonly known as a type of geranium, is through stem cuttings. This is typically done during the active growing season, which for geraniums is generally from spring to early summer. To propagate by cuttings, a healthy stem about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) long is selected. The cutting should have at least two sets of leaves. The bottom leaves are removed and the cut end can be dipped in a rooting hormone powder to encourage root development. The prepared cutting is then inserted into a pot filled with a well-draining potting mix, and kept moist and in indirect sunlight until roots have developed, which usually takes a few weeks. Once rooted, the young plant can be transferred to a more permanent pot or garden location.