Geraniums are a very special kind of garden flower. Most green thumbs love it for its odd yet interesting shape, sweet fragrance, and bright colors. It is used mostly in the fields of culinary, ornamentals, and medicine.
What most people don’t know is the different things about geraniums – such as its meaning and symbolism. Common geranium flower colors and its history plays a big part in this! To start, a white, yellow, or orange geranium means fertility, surprise, or friendship.
Meanwhile, a red or blue geranium symbolizes passion and calm. Other geranium colors such as pink and purple represents a gentle love and peace.
This makes growing Geraniums all the more fun and mysterious – so it’s time to get planting! If you’d like to know more about this gorgeous flower, you better keep on reading to find out!
History of the Geranium Plant
The very interesting history of geraniums can be traced back to the early 15th century. It was until the 17th century when it was first brought to Europe by Dutch plant hunters from the paradise of Cape Town in South Africa.
Geraniums then were defined as annuals or tender perennials with regular yet fragrant flowers in elongated styles. This tender perennial grown for its smaller leaves or basal leaves and its vibrant disc shaped head.
The word geranium may take after more than one genus. Although these flowers belong to the genus Geranium, the common floral name geranium is often mistaken for flowers from the genus Pelargonium. Such flowers were also called geraniums because of their distant relationship and uncanny resemblance. Both genera belong to the Geraniaceae family.
Geraniums are native flowers in the subtropical southern regions of Asia, Africa, and Europe. Having originated from South Africa, the common name geranium comes from the Greek word Geranion or Geranos referring to a crane bird found in the continent.
Geranium was also surprisingly nicknamed after many birds. These include Rockweed, Crowfoot, Storksbill, or Crane’s Bill. Crane’s bill is the most common nickname for it because of how the flower’s seed pod resembled the bird.
The geranium flowers form and have an active growing season and the best time to grow these is during the early summer to late spring. It loves a sunny location under a semi shade area with regular watering. True geraniums are mostly grown in USDA hardiness zones 3-9 and these are called zonal geraniums.
Popular geranium species include the common or wild geranium (Geranium sp or Pelargonium sp), the Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum), the Meadow Crane’s Bill (Geranium pratense), and the Wood Crane’s Bill (Geranium sylvaticum).
True geranium comes in many different types and different varieties. These include Oak leaf geranium (Pelargonium quercifolium), Ivy geranium or Ivy geraniums (Pelargonium peltatum), Horseshoe geranium (Pelargonium zolare), Lemon scented geraniums or Lemon geranium (Pelargonium graveolen), and Scarlet geranium (Pelargonium inquinans).
Geranium Flower Symbolism
The geranium flower symbolism is quite interesting. This beautiful flower symbolizes availability and dependability – most probably because it is easy to grow and is widely used for their fragrance and ornamental beauty.
Geraniums are the birth flower of planet Mars and are often associated with the zodiac signs Aries and Scorpio.
During the Victorian era, geranium flowers (geraniums) symbolize foolishness or stupidity. It was also during the Victorian times that a geranium flower symbolizes happiness, friendship, good wishes or well wishes.
In many different situations, geraniums are symbolic of pleasantries and all the good things!
Meaning of Geranium Flowers
The geranium flower meaning symbolism is quite different and diverse from its etymological meaning. In the Victorian language of flowers, the meaning of the geranium was stupidity and folly. It was given this meaning because of how the seed pods resembled a bird – and birds have this cute nature to be curious and easily swayed.
Geranium flower meanings can also stand for refinement and high esteem – especially since its petals produce various essential oil for fragrances. It can also mean an unexpected meeting.
Many say that because of its essential oils, the flowers bear the meaning of healing and invigoration and promote fertility. This also indicates that a geranium is a source of strength and inspiration during times of need.
Now the vibrant colors of geraniums have different meanings. The various colors of these flowers aren’t just single colored geraniums. Here is the different geranium flower color and the meaning behind each.
What does White Geranium Flower Mean?
White geraniums convey the meaning of fertility or fruitfulness. The numerous white flowers represent bountifulness when seen in a cluster.
What does a Red Geranium Flower Symbolize?
Red geranium flowers have a very deep and strong sense of symbolism. In the language of flowers, it is symbolic of flaming passion and pure energy. Red geraniums can also express romantic feelings.
What does an Orange Geranium Floret Indicate?
Just like the playfulness and cuteness of the crane bird, an orange geranium flower indicates a similar thought. Such flowers indicate childishness and a life-long true friendship.
What does a Pink Geranium Flower Represent?
Pink geraniums symbolize passionate emotions or feelings. Usually associated with the color of love and affection, pink geranium flowers are a representation of romantic energy when in full bloom.
What does a Purple Geranium Flower Symbolize?
Crane’s Bills with purple petals are flowers that possess a calming or soothing effect when in full bloom. Purple geranium flowers are symbolic of feelings of comfort and a peaceful piece of mind.
What does a Blue Geranium Blossom Mean?
The meaning behind blue geraniums flowers is lightly associated with that of the symbolic meaning of purple geraniums.
When the mind is at peace and the emotions are balanced, the present is now also calming – this is what blue geraniums stand for. Additionally, it can also mean a personal preference.
What does a Yellow Geranium Floret Represent?
Yellow geraniums are mysterious even if they are sweet-scented and very beautiful. It is an exciting flower to behold in any garden! This flower means it is full of surprises and maybe a special unexpected encounter!
What is the Spiritual Meaning of a Geranium Bloom?
The floral essence and fragrant oils from geraniums have a very special power over energy, emotions, and environments. Its fresh blooms radiate with positive energy and possess magical powers full of wonder.
The magic wonders of this flower release golden energy full of good chi while promoting healing and recovery – especially for women after birth. In a more realistic sense, it will create a safe space for the healing and health of individuals, inviting more love, courage, and the truth into life.
Additionally, such flowers promote overall purification and instill a stronger sense of resilience. Since ancient times, it was believed that geraniums can ward off negative energy and evil spirits.
What are the Folktales Associated with a Geranium Flower?
The folktales associated with geraniums are just as interesting as their meaning and symbolism. One of these folktales comes from the Iroquois Indian tribes and their cultural beliefs. They believe that geraniums could curb the effects of a casted love charm. A root-infused tea of this plant can be placed beside the person under the spell!
Another spell-casting tale speaks about the magic powers of geraniums. Early country folk believe in its powers to ward off evil spirits and act as protective charms.
White geranium flowers were the ones to bear this mystical ability. Folks often told stories about how these white blossoms were used as charms to ward off snakes and flies.
What does a Geranium Flower Tattoo Symbolize?
Geranium floral tattoos aren’t as popular as rose, tulip, or daisy tattoos – but they are as beautiful and meaningful as the rest of the floral designs. This floral tattoo represents positive emotions coupled with a healthy state of mind.
An embodied tattoo like this is also symbolic of wishing for good health for anyone met unexpectedly during the journey. And lastly, it is a floral portrayal of having good friendships, healthy personal relationships, and genuine happiness.
Uses of the Geranium Plants
Geraniums are useful in the vast fields of culinary, medicine, and ornamentals. It is a popular choice to cultivate these as scented geraniums and is prized for the geranium oil. Many folks plant it in hanging baskets, flower beds, window boxes, or simply planted outdoors in the open.
Geranium flower makes a great garden plant because it is known to repel snakes and repel mosquitoes but is susceptible to root rot!
Geranium flowers makes for a great common housewarming gift. Aside from housewarming gifts, these flowers also make a great addition as decorations at wedding ceremonies. It is usually hung on the front door of the church to induce love spells.
The flowers have a range of different scents ranging from fruity fragrances to spicy aromas. These fruity scents include lemon, orange, pineapple while the spicy scents include rose, nutmeg, and peppermint. The leaves were also used in potpourris, cosmetic skincare products, jellies, teas, butter, and biscuits.
In terms of medical applications, it possessed astringent and hemostatic properties. It also has healing properties as well as anti inflammatory and antibacterial properties known to reduce stress.
Early Native Americans used wild geraniums in many medical treatments. It was once used as a popular anti-diarrhea treatment. Chippewa Indians also used dried and powdered rhizomes mixed with grape juice as a mouthwash for children with thrush.
Similarly, a root poultice was used to treat skin burns and heal wounds. A combination of leaf and root treatments was often used to relieve pain such as sore throats, hemorrhages, and cholera.
A word of warning that it’s a must to always consult a medical professional before using this plant or any part of it for medical purposes.
~ image source: depositphotos/majaFOTO
