20 
FANCY-LEAVED GERANIUMS 
The Fancy-Leaved Geraniums are those varieties of Zonal 
Geraniums which have unusual colorings and markings 
on the leaves. The markings vary from dainty borders of 
white to brilliant combinations of yellow, scarlet, crim- 
son, and brown. These varieties are grown for their 
foliage effects, although they do produce flowers, which 
in some varieties are fairly good. The white bordered 
Silver-Leaved type originated spontaneously before 1800, 
and has been repeated again and again. The greatest 
development of the Fancy-Leaved Geraniums occurred in 
the 1850’s and 1860’s in England, when there was extreme 
interest in colored leaved plants of all kinds. Peter Grieve 
was the leading breeder in this era, and produced a large 
number of very fine Tricolor Geraniums. 
A great many varieties of Fancy-Leaved Geraniums ex- 
isted at one time. Unfortunately most of them have been 
lost, or at least misplaced, for, now and then, an old one 
turns up again. No doubt practically all of the varieties 
now available date from long ago. This accounts for the 
uncertainty that exists about some of the names. When- 
ever possible, I have checked the varieties against such old 
descriptions as were available to me. The original forms 
and spellings of the names have been used in this catalog 
whenever it has been possible to ascertain them. 
Many of the Fancy-Leaved Geraniums were originally 
produced for use as bedding plants for the formal, geo- 
metric beds once so popular, and they are occasionally 
used that way even now. They have considerable orna- 
mental value as house plants. However, most of them are 
now grown as hobby plants. They are fascinating, and it 
is easy to become an addict. The leaves are often used 
in flower arrangements. 
The Fancy-Leaved Geraniums change considerably with 
cultural conditions. The Silver-Leaved kinds are often 
best in part shade. Some varieties will “burn” in full 
sun, but most of them are quite satisfactory. The Bronze- 
Leaved, Gold-Leaved, and Tricolor varieties are brightest 
in cool sunny weather. Some of them may not tolerate 
full summer sun in some localities, but for brightest 
foliage should have as much sun as they will stand with- 
out “burning.” Regular applications of a complete plant 
food will accentuate the color. New growth is always 
the brightest, so that bushy plants with several growing 
points are most colorful. All the Fancy-Leaved Gera- 
niums should be pinched when young to induce branch- 
ing and produce compact, bushy plants. Later, as the 
plants grow, any stems that are too strong should be 
pinched again. (Pinching consists of removing the grow- 
ing center at the tip of the stem, by pinching, breaking, 
or cutting. The smaller the piece removed, the better, 
but the growing center must be removed, not just the 
immature leaves.) 
If the light intensity is low with other conditions favor- 
able for growth, the new leaves of the Silver-Leaved 
and Tricolor Geraniums are likely to be umbrella 
shaped. In winter it is not always possible to avoid 
this trouble entirely. Well hardened, potbound plants 
give least trouble. 
