Barlett's Bleeding Heart Geranium Pelargonium 'The Barle' (A)
ABOUT
Pelargonium 'The Barle' (A), commonly known as a type of Geranium, is a vibrant and decorative plant. It has a bushy growth habit and displays lush green foliage. The leaves are typically rounded, with a soft, velvety texture and have a unique zonal pattern, marked by a darker coloration in the center which can sometimes resemble a horseshoe. This variegation in the leaves adds to the aesthetic appeal of the plant. Springing above the foliage, the Geranium bears clusters of flowers that come in a range of colors such as pink, red, purple or white. These flowers have a subtle, pleasant fragrance and are characterized by their rounded petals, which can sometimes showcase streaks or spots in a contrasting hue. The overall appearance of Pelargonium 'The Barle' is one of lush and colorful charm that can brighten up any garden or indoor space.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Zonal Geranium, Garden Geranium, Malva or Cranesbill
Common names
Pelargonium 'The Barle'
ToxicityTo humans
The common name of Pelargonium 'The Barle' (A) is geranium. Generally, geraniums are not considered highly toxic to humans. However, ingestion of large quantities can potentially cause minor symptoms such as irritation of the mouth, throat, vomiting, and gastrointestinal upset. It is advised to use caution and keep these plants out of reach of children who might accidentally ingest them.
To pets
The common name of Pelargonium 'The Barle' (A) is geranium. Geraniums are known to be toxic to pets, especially cats and dogs. If ingested by pets, they can cause symptoms such as vomiting, anorexia, depression, and dermatitis. In cats, geranium poisoning may also lead to more severe symptoms including renal failure and hypothermia. Pet owners should be vigilant and prevent their pets from chewing on or ingesting any parts of the plant.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Semi-deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Mixed
Height
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
South Africa
Benefits
General Benefits- Decorative Appeal: Pelargonium 'The Barle', commonly known as scented geranium, adds aesthetic beauty to gardens and living spaces with its unique foliage and blooms.
- Aromatherapy: The scented geranium is known for its pleasant fragrance, which can create a calming and relaxing environment.
- Easy to Grow: This plant is relatively easy to cultivate and maintain, making it suitable for gardeners at all skill levels.
- Drought Tolerance: The scented geranium is resilient in dry conditions, requiring less water than many other plants once established.
- Pest Resistance: The natural scent of the scented geranium can repel certain insects, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
- Versatility: Scented geraniums can thrive in a variety of settings, including pots, containers, and as part of mixed borders in gardens.
- Attracts Pollinators: These plants can attract beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies to the garden, which is vital for the environment and garden health.
- Culinary Use: The leaves of some scented geranium varieties are edible and can be used to flavor food and beverages, adding a unique twist to recipes.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- As a natural dye: The leaves and flowers of Pelargonium 'The Barle', also known as geranium, can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics, with varied hues depending on the mordants used.
- In aromatherapy: The essential oils extracted from geraniums can be used in aromatherapy to create a calming and uplifting atmosphere.
- As a flavoring agent: Geranium leaves can be infused to create flavored sugars or syrups for use in baking and cocktail making.
- For educational purposes: Geraniums can serve as an excellent teaching tool in botany and horticulture classes due to their diverse range of species and ease of propagation.
- As a craft material: Dried geranium flowers can be used in potpourri or as embellishments in scrapbooking and other paper crafts.
- In photography: The vibrant colors and patterns of geraniums make them a popular subject for garden and macro photographers.
- As a companion plant: Geraniums can be planted alongside vegetables and other flowers to help repel certain pests and attract beneficial insects.
- In landscaping: Due to their varied forms and colors, geraniums are often used in landscape design to provide visual interest and border definition.
- As a natural fabric softener: When used in the final rinse, a strong infusion of geranium leaves can impart a pleasant fragrance to linens and act as a mild fabric softener.
- For creating natural art: Pressed geranium flowers and leaves can be used to make botanical prints or to decorate homemade paper and cards.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Geranium is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Geranium is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Comfort: Geraniums often symbolize comfort due to their homey appearance and the sense they give of groundedness and familiarity.
- Friendship: Sharing a geranium plant can be a symbol of a deep and meaningful friendship, representing the feeling of close-knot connection.
- Health and Healing: Some believe geraniums have healing properties, therefore they symbolize good health and the process of recovery.
- Peace: The soothing scent and appearance of geraniums can denote peace, serenity, and a calm environment.
- Positive Emotions: With their bright and varied colors, geraniums are often associated with positivity, upliftment, and cheerfulness.
WaterGeraniums prefer even moisture, so it is best to water them thoroughly whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Typically, this may mean watering once every 1-2 weeks, but frequency can vary depending on temperature and humidity. When watering, aim to use about 1-2 gallons of water for a medium-sized pot, ensuring that excess water drains away to prevent root rot. During the winter, reduce watering slightly as the plant's growth slows down, but never let the soil become completely dry.
LightGeraniums thrive in bright, indirect sunlight. The best spot for them is near a window that gets at least six hours of sunlight per day, but be cautious of too much direct sunlight in the summer as it can scorch the leaves. If light conditions are too low, the geranium may become leggy and produce fewer flowers, so ensure that it sits in a well-lit area without being exposed to the harsh afternoon sun.
TemperatureGeraniums prefer temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and should not be subjected to temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, as they are not frost-tolerant. They can tolerate up to 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit but will need more frequent watering at higher temperatures. Ideally, keep the geranium in an environment where nighttime temperatures drop about 10 degrees lower than the daytime.
PruningPrune geraniums to promote bushy growth and prevent them from becoming leggy. Remove faded flowers and any dead or yellowing leaves to encourage more blooms. Pruning is best done in late winter or early spring before new growth begins, and periodically throughout the growing season to maintain shape. You can also pinch the stem tips to stimulate fuller plants.
CleaningAs needed
SoilGeraniums prefer a well-draining potting mix with compost and perlite or sand. The ideal soil pH for geraniums is slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0.
RepottingGeraniums should be repotted every one to two years to refresh the soil and encourage healthy growth.
Humidity & MistingGeraniums thrive best in moderate humidity conditions. They do not require high humidity levels and are fairly adaptable to average indoor humidity.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place geraniums in bright, indirect light and keep soil moderately dry.
Outdoor
Geraniums need well-draining soil, full sun to partial shade.
Hardiness zone
10-11 USDA
Life cyclePelargonium 'The Barle', commonly known as a type of geranium, begins its life cycle with seed germination, which occurs when temperature and moisture conditions are right, typically in spring. After germination, the seedling grows into a young plant with characteristic lobed leaves and begins to develop a root system. As the geranium matures, it enters the vegetative stage, where it continues to grow leaves and stems, focusing on increasing its biomass. Eventually, the plant reaches the flowering stage, producing clusters of colorful flowers that are often used ornamentally. Following pollination, if it occurs, the flowers produce seeds, completing the reproductive cycle. Finally, as an annual or perennial depending on the climate, the plant either dies after seeding (in colder climates) or enters a period of dormancy during unfavorable conditions (in milder climates), to start anew in the next growing season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: Pelargonium 'The Barle', commonly known as Geranium, can be propagated most effectively through stem cuttings. This method is usually done in late summer. To propagate by cuttings, a healthy stem around 4 to 6 inches (about 10 to 15 cm) long is chosen. The cutter should ensure that the stem has at least two sets of leaves. The bottom leaves are removed, and the cut end is allowed to dry for a few hours to form a callus, which helps prevent rot. The prepared cutting is then inserted into a moist soil mix containing equal parts of peat and perlite. It's important to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and to place the cuttings in a warm, bright location without direct sunlight until they root, usually within a few weeks.
