Geraniums aren’t just pretty—they’re perfect companions for a Pennsylvania patio. From vibrant color to attracting pollinators, they bring more than just looks.
I’ve rounded up seven reasons they deserve a spot near your outdoor seating. Your patio will feel brighter and more inviting instantly.
1. Vibrant Color All Summer Long
Geraniums burst with bold reds, pinks, whites, and purples that last from late spring through early fall. Pennsylvania gardeners love how these flowers keep blooming without much fuss, creating a cheerful atmosphere right outside your door.
Unlike some flowers that fade quickly, geraniums stay vibrant for months. Their continuous blooms mean your patio looks inviting all season long, perfect for family gatherings or relaxing evenings outdoors in the Keystone State.
2. Natural Mosquito Deterrent
Did you know certain geranium varieties naturally repel mosquitoes? Citronella-scented geraniums release a lemony fragrance that bugs find unpleasant, making your patio more comfortable during humid Pennsylvania summers.
Placing these plants around seating areas creates a natural barrier against pesky insects. You’ll spend less time swatting and more time enjoying outdoor meals with family and friends throughout the warm months.
3. Low Maintenance and Forgiving
Busy Pennsylvania homeowners appreciate geraniums because they don’t demand constant attention. Water them when the soil feels dry, give them sunshine, and they’ll thrive without complicated care routines or special treatments.
Even beginner gardeners find success with these resilient plants. If you forget to water occasionally or can’t deadhead spent blooms right away, geraniums bounce back quickly, making them ideal for people with packed schedules.
4. Perfect for Pennsylvania’s Climate
Pennsylvania’s growing season matches perfectly with geranium preferences. They love warm days and cool nights, which the state delivers reliably from May through September.
While geraniums won’t survive Pennsylvania winters outdoors, they perform beautifully during the growing season. Many gardeners bring them inside before frost or treat them as annuals, replanting fresh ones each spring for guaranteed patio color year after year.
5. Attracts Beneficial Pollinators
Geraniums invite butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds to visit your patio, creating a lively garden atmosphere. Watching pollinators work among the flowers adds entertainment and helps support Pennsylvania’s local ecosystem.
Kids especially enjoy observing these visitors up close from the safety of the patio. Planting geraniums near outdoor living spaces turns your backyard into an educational nature spot where everyone can appreciate wildlife.
6. Versatile Container Options
Geraniums adapt beautifully to any container size, from small pots to large planters or hanging baskets. Pennsylvania patios come in all shapes and sizes, and geraniums fit wherever you need a splash of color.
Mix different geranium colors together or combine them with complementary plants for custom arrangements. Their upright growth habit looks great in traditional pots, while trailing varieties cascade elegantly from elevated containers.
7. Budget-Friendly Beauty
Geraniums offer impressive visual impact without breaking your budget. Garden centers across Pennsylvania stock them affordably each spring, and a few plants can transform an entire patio space with minimal investment.
You can also propagate new plants from cuttings, stretching your dollar even further. One geranium can become several, allowing you to fill more containers or share with neighbors while keeping costs low throughout the season.