Aristo® Black Beauty Geranium Plant

Aristo Black Beauty could be called a geranium with a silver lining. The opulent blossoms are so dark burgundy as to almost appear black in the centers, with the thinnest white margin that shines with its own light, almost like fiber optics! The foliage is serrated along the edges, also adding a frilly appearance to this one-of-a-kind geranium, while the deep olive green coloration shows the amazing flowers off flawlessly. Regal geraniums put on their best show in partial sun locations with well-drained soil. If grown indoors as a houseplant, they prefer the sun from a south or west facing window. If grown outdoors, they prefer filtered sunlight in areas protected from the rain. Also keep in mind that they do not like hot conditions, so if grown outside and the temps get above 85 degrees for an extend period, they will stop flowering. They will re-flower again once the outside temps drop below 75 degrees. Allow the top inch of soil to dry before watering.

Planting Instructions:

• - Plant in spring after the last frost date
• - Space plants 10-12 inches apart, as Aristo geraniums are more compact

Soil Preparation:

• - Ideal soil pH: 5.8-6.3 (slightly more acidic than general geraniums)
• - Well-draining soil rich in organic matter

Watering Specifics:

• - Water when the top inch of soil feels dry
• - Aristo geraniums are more drought-tolerant than some varieties

Fertilizer Type:

• - Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at planting
• - Supplement with liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during peak growing season

Pruning and Training:

• - Less pruning required due to compact growth habit
• - Remove spent blooms is important for geraniums to look good and for continuous flowering

Additional Pest Management:

• - Aristo geraniums have good disease resistance
• - Still monitor for common pests like aphids and whiteflies

Blooming Indicators:

• - Produces large, showy flowers throughout the growing season
• - Blooms earlier and longer than many other geranium varieties

Light Requirements:

• - Prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade
• - Needs at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal blooming

Temperature Tolerance:

• - Heat-tolerant, performing well in temperatures up to 95°F (35°C)
• - Not frost-hardy; protect or bring indoors when temperatures drop below 40°F (4°C)

Companion Plants for Geraniums:

Geraniums are versatile plants that pair well with a wide variety of companions. Their adaptability allows them to thrive alongside annuals, perennials, and even ornamental grasses with similar growing conditions. Suitable companion plants range from trailing varieties like sweet potato vine and ivy to upright flowers such as salvias. The options span a broad spectrum of colors, textures, and growth habits, allowing gardeners to create diverse and visually appealing container gardens or bedding arrangements with geraniums as a key component.