21 
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 are a little more difficult 
to grow than the ordinary ones, as is usually true for 
variegated plants. Varieties with the most variegation 
and the brightest colors are, in general, a little weaker 
than the less highly colored kinds. The Fancy-Leaved 
Geraniums require the same conditions and care as other 
geraniums. They tend to have rather light root sys- 
tems. Good drainage is especially important. If the 
plants are grown in pots, the pots should not be too large 
for the roots to fill. The Fancy-Leaved Geraniums need 
good ventilation. A close, humid atmosphere is likely to 
bring trouble with leaf rot. 
Climate and cultural conditions have a great effect on 
the colors of the Fancy-Leaved Geraniums. The colors 
are brightest when the days are sunny and the nights 
cool. All varieties need lots of sun. The Silver-Leaved 
Geraniums will get along with less sun than the others. 
Plants that are making slow, hard growth are usually 
brighter than soft, rapidly growing plants. The soil 
should not be very rich, but potted plants will need 
regular feeding. New growth is always the brightest, 
so that bushy plants with several growing points are the 
most colorful. Most of the Fancy-Leaved Geraniums 
should be pinched when young to induce branching 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 growing cen- 
ter at the tip of the stem, by pinching, breaking, or 
