At first glance, what really grabs you about trailing geraniums (also known as ivy geraniums) are those long, cascading vines and the sheer explosion of flowers. But once you take a closer look, you’ll see that every variety has its own unique personality. Usually, it’s the color that sets them apart, but there’s a lot more going on under the surface!
A World of Floral Variety
When it comes to color, trailing geraniums really go all out. The classics—whites, pinks, and reds—are always fan favorites and come in every shade imaginable. But don’t overlook the bicolor beauties! These often feature a striking dark “eye” in the center of the bloom. Beyond the color, you can also choose between single and double blooms (which have extra layers of petals for a fuller look).
While all these varieties share those signature ivy-like leaves—which is why they’re technically called *Pelargonium peltatum*—their growth habits vary. Some will send out massive trailers, while others stay a bit more compact.
Alpina
Alpina is a stunning bicolor choice. Its flowers are crisp white with a bold red eye. These are super popular in Europe as “Tyrolean geraniums” because they create that classic alpine balcony look. Give them some room, because these vines can easily reach 3 to 5 feet long!
Black Night
If you’re looking for something a bit more contained, Black Night stays relatively short with vines around 28 inches. The flowers, however, are total showstoppers. They are a deep carmine red and shaped almost exactly like tiny roses. Luckily for us, this variety is a prolific bloomer, giving us a nice long flowering season.
Burgundy
The deep wine-red blooms of the Burgundy variety are breathtaking—though if you prefer a cleaner look, “White Burgundy” offers the same great traits in white. Both are “self-cleaning,” which is music to a gardener’s ears! It means you don’t have to spend your weekends deadheading spent flowers. If you have a ton of window boxes to fill, planting these will save you a lot of maintenance time.
Quirin
Quirin is what we call a semi-trailing variety. It’s a bit more upright but still cascades down about 28 inches. The blooms are a gorgeous, moody dark violet.
Ville de Paris
This variety is a staple in southern Germany and for good reason. While the white flowers are “single” (less petals), they bloom in massive quantities. It’s also a fantastic choice if your balcony gets a bit of partial shade, as it’s quite tolerant. If you want just a hint of color, look for “Ville de Dresden,” which has a delicate pink flush.
White Glacier
If you put this trailing geranium in a window box, it’s going to turn heads. The snow-white petals feature a vivid red pattern that really pops. It grows fast, too—reaching about 28 inches in no time. It’s the perfect pick if you’re impatient to see your balcony turn green and lush!
Quick Tip:
If you propagate trailing geraniums from cuttings, the new “babies” will be exact clones of the mother plant, growing and blooming in the exact same way.
A Few More Favorites
- “Pink Sybil”: A semi-trailing type with bright, cheery pink flowers.
- “Shocking Pink”: Exactly what it sounds like—vibrant, electric pink blooms.
- “Villetta Lilac”: A vigorous grower with lovely lilac-purple flowers.
- “Lollipop Cherry”: Features double blooms with dark red edges and a lighter center.
- “Tiroler Feuer”: A classic “Tyrolean Fire” variety with traditional bright red flowers.
Quick Tip:
All trailing geraniums need a little elbow room to thrive. Make sure you plant them at least 8 inches apart so they have plenty of space to spread out.
