Geranium is actually the generic name of ‘cranesbills’. Again, the attractive flowers of the ‘Pelargonium’ species are also referred to as Geranium. Geranium derives its name from the Greek word ‘geranos’ which means ‘crane’. It gets the name cranesbill due to the structure of the seed heads which resembles the bills of cranes.

Geranium is said to have more than 400 different species. Depending upon the variety, the plant can be biennial, perennial or annual. It bears flowers with 5 petals arranged in perfect symmetry, the flowers can be red, blue, white or pink and they bloom throughout summer. The plant bears leaves which are broad and circular in shape.

The plant is grown across the temperate regions of the world and the tropical mountains, but mostly in the eastern part of the Mediterranean. They can survive in almost all types of soil, which are well drained, and require bright sunlight but they manage to grow even in partial shade.

This beautiful flower is well known as an outdoor as well as an indoor plant. Widely popular as garden flowers, used for landscaping and for making flower beds, Geraniums are also used as cut flowers.