Aristo® Darling Geranium Plant

Aristo® Darling Geranium Plant has got the ideal name for an Aristo Series Regal geranium. In rosy hues, dark and mysterious is mixed with light and flirtatious; this regal geranium has everything going for it. Look closely to see the flirty light pink border along the dark rose top petals which contrast so dramatically with the pastel pink lower petals highlighted with a burst of luminous white. Darling indeed!

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.