White geraniums/pelargoniums weaker than colored ones?

[pronker]

For two years, my sister and I each nursed a white geranium along. We live 200 miles apart. She has the greener thumb, but hers died and so did mine despite all tries to encourage them. Our other pinks, purples and scarlet ones did wonderfully well with amazing flowers each year and constant growth to their maximum spread in the same environment

Comments

[beesandbrews]

White roses or shasta daisies? Some nursery chain was advertising all white gardens earlier this year. I think they were calling them moonlight gardens. You might get a few ideas from searching those out.

[virginiadear]

Could it have been White Flower Farm?
They used to use photos of only white-blossomed plants (in bloom) when they advertised in magazines 'way back when. It gave this reader the impression that white blossoming flowers or shrubs was all they carried, but today you can clearly see in their website images an abundance of a variety of colors.

They're in Connecticut, OP, but I bet they'd be helpful or could refer you to someone closer to you who can be helpful.

www.whiteflowerfarm.com

[beesandbrews]

I think it may have been Park or Wayside Garden, actually. I got a lot of catalogs this past season, and didn't do more than flip through most of them.

[virginiadear]

I get only two catalogues: Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, and Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. I'm certain almost anyone else on this community knows more about flowering annuals or perennials than I do....

[rhiannon_s]

I'd suggest Echinacea "White Swan" for your situation. Big drift of them would be perfect, it is a white flowering variant of a US native wildflower and suited for hot dry summers and the occasional sharp freeze in winter.
http://www.perennials.com/plants/echinacea-purpurea-white-swan.html

[pronker]

Echinacea is wonderfully suited to the spot; I'll look into that species. The idea of a white peony got shot down because the yard is zone 9 and the guides say zone 8 is its limit. :(

[kharmii]

My white geranium also looked worse than the red one all summer. Might be it was getting more sun that made it burnt. My favorite white things in my garden are the moon flowers that I got 4 for $10 at a garage sale. Not only did they get enormous and spread, but the blooms stay pretty day after day. Only problem is they bloom close to sunset to about 11AM in the morning, when the full sun hits them. Then they close up most of the day. It's ideal in this weather because they don't get burnt looking, like white roses or geraniums. Alyssums also consistently look good all summer.

[pronker]

Moonflowers sound workable and their big blooms really appeal. I look outside when I'm at the sink and want something big to stare at while doing dishes, ha! There is also a trellis that would support them so yes, a definite possibility.

Alyssums would work at the foot of the trellis and yeah, your geranium story interests because it's curious how the other geraniums did well but not whites with the same amount of sun, etc.

[kharmii]

Just found out that moonflowers are datura, which is poisonous, so take care if you have kids or pets. Another poisonous plant with pretty white flowers is lily of the valley, which I planted after the blooms were done. They look terrible right now because it's been so dry. I have them contained in a circle of plastic because they supposedly spread everywhere.

[pronker]

Good info - no dogs but 2 outdoor cats. I hear you about spreading - my neighbor's hostas crept into the side yard.

[sachael]

Peonies are beautiful but need cold winters to thrive. I couldn't have them in Orange Co. CA, too hot zone 10 there. I grew those big dinnerplate dahlias instead.

[pronker]

Thanks for the info. Dahlias are worth considering - I'm looking for large bunches of flowers in this application. We do have good solid freezes for about 2 weeks around Christmastime.