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How to Grow Trailing Ivy Geranium Taverna Scarlet

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Trailing Ivy Geranium Taverna Scarlet

Pelargonium peltatum 'Taverna Scarlet'

flower

Taverna Scarlet is a vibrant trailing ivy geranium cultivar with deep scarlet-red flowers and lush green ivy-like foliage. It's a tender perennial that cascades beautifully from hanging baskets, containers, and window boxes, ideal for adding dramatic color to patios and gardens. This variety is vigorous, floriferous, and relatively low-maintenance.

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Example Trailing Ivy Geranium Taverna Scarlet timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Trailing Ivy Geranium Taverna Scarlet

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. First Trailing Ivy Geranium Taverna Scarlet blooms

    Around Jun 1

    ≈ 45 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Trailing Ivy Geranium Taverna Scarlet dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; tolerates partial shade but flowers best in full sun
💧
Water: Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged; water when top inch feels dry. Reduce watering in winter. Avoid wetting foliage to prevent fungal issues.
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Spacing: 18 inches
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Days to maturity: 45-60 days to first blooms
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Planting depth: Plant transplants at same depth as nursery container; surface-sow seeds under lights

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil or potting mix
pH: 6.0-6.8
Amendments:
Perlite or sand for drainage Compost or aged bark Balanced slow-release fertilizer

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 10b-11; grown as an annual or container plant in cooler zones

10b 11a 11b

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Small green shoots with 2-4 true leaves emerge; stems are thin and tender

Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Provide bright, indirect light. Maintain 65-75°F. Transplant to individual pots when 2-3 true leaves appear.

2

Vegetative Growth

4-6 weeks

Plant develops multiple trailing stems with ivy-shaped lobed leaves; stems lengthen and branch

Water regularly and allow to dry slightly between waterings. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Pinch back growing tips to encourage bushier, fuller cascading growth.

3

Bud Formation

2-3 weeks

Umbels of small flower buds appear at stem tips; buds are densely clustered and tightly closed

Maintain consistent watering and full sun exposure. Switch to slightly lower-nitrogen fertilizer to encourage flowering. Watch for pests.

4

Flowering

6-12 weeks or longer with proper care

Brilliant scarlet-red florets open in dense clusters; plant becomes covered with vibrant blooms

Deadhead spent flower clusters to promote continuous blooming. Water at soil level to keep flowers dry. Fertilize every 2 weeks with bloom-boosting formula.

5

Mature/Trailing

Throughout growing season

Long cascading stems (12-24+ inches) trail over container edges; flowering continues with minimal gaps

Tie or guide stems downward for aesthetic effect. Continue deadheading and regular feeding. Reduce watering slightly if growth becomes too aggressive.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

White Trailing Ivy Geranium Trailing Verbena Bacopa Petunias Calibrachoa Diascia Dusty Miller Helichrysum

Avoid planting near:

Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli) Fennel Wormwood Plants requiring consistently wet soil

Common Pests

  • Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 7-10 days. Increase air circulation. Inspect undersides of leaves regularly.

  • Mist foliage regularly to increase humidity. Apply neem oil or miticide. Remove heavily infested stems.

  • Dab with rubbing alcohol on cotton swab. Spray with insecticidal soap. Isolate infested plants.

  • Remove infected buds and flowers. Apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray. Handpick larvae if visible.

  • Improve air circulation and reduce humidity. Remove affected foliage and flowers. Apply fungicide if severe. Avoid overhead watering.

Uses

🍳

Edible Flower Garnish

Culinary

Pelargonium flowers, including this scarlet variety, are edible with a slightly peppery, floral flavor. Use fresh petals to garnish salads, desserts, and beverages for striking color and flavor. [source]

🏠

Container & Landscape Ornament

Household

Exceptional as a trailing specimen in hanging baskets, window boxes, and container gardens. The cascading scarlet blooms create stunning vertical or hanging garden displays on patios, porches, and balconies. [source]

💊

Traditional Herbal Remedy

Medicinal

Geranium leaves have been used in traditional medicine for respiratory support and skin health. Modern herbalists steep geranium leaf tea for antioxidant and mild antimicrobial properties. [source]

🎨

Pressed Flowers & Botanical Art

Craft

The delicate scarlet petals press beautifully for use in scrapbooking, greeting cards, bookmarks, and framed botanical art. Dried pressed flowers retain color well. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Attraction

Wildlife

The abundant scarlet flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hoverflies, supporting local pollinator populations and beneficial insects in gardens. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

This is an ornamental flower; deadhead spent blooms by pinching or cutting just below the flower cluster to encourage continuous flowering throughout the season. Remove any yellowed or diseased foliage promptly. In fall, before frost, take softwood cuttings for overwintering indoors in cooler climates.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Ivy geraniums (Pelargonium peltatum) are native to South Africa and are not true geraniums (genus Geranium), but were misnamed by early botanists. The misnomer stuck and remains in common use.
  • 🌱 Taverna Scarlet is heat and drought-tolerant once established, making it ideal for sunny, hot locations where many other flowering plants struggle—a trait inherited from its South African heritage.
  • 🌱 Unlike zonal geraniums, trailing ivy geraniums produce few seeds in cultivation, making them primarily propagated by cuttings. A single cutting can root in 2-3 weeks and grow into a lush cascading plant by season's end.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Deadhead Full Sun Partial Shade Perennial Pinch Back Transplant True Leaves
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