TheNaturePlanet

When it comes to extremely similar plants, geraniums and hydrangeas are of course the ones that come to mind. They look very similar in appearance, and it is really not easy for ordinary beginners to distinguish between these two kinds of flowers. However, once you understand their respective characteristics, you can easily identify these two plants.
First of all, although the flowers of geraniums and hydrangeas are extremely similar, the texture and shape of their leaves are completely different. The leaves of geraniums are round and divided, and there is a little fluff on the surface of the leaves. However, the leaves of hydrangeas are mostly oval, and the edges of the leaves are rough and serrated. When you touch the leaves with your hands, they are relatively smooth and have no fluff.
Secondly, carefully observe the flowers. Although both are round in shape, the color of hydrangeas is not as rich as that of geraniums. Usually, hydrangeas are mostly solid colors, while the petals of geraniums may be red and white alternating or mixed with other colors. In addition, each small flower of the hydrangea has four petals, while the geranium has as many as five petals.
Furthermore, there is a difference in the height of the two kinds of flowers. Geraniums are relatively short, generally between 30 and 60 centimeters, while hydrangeas can be between one meter and four meters, with a relatively large difference. However, when geraniums and hydrangeas growing in nature are made into potted plants, their heights can also be made almost the same.
Finally, you can look at the flowering periods of geraniums and hydrangeas. The flowering period of geraniums is approximately from May to July every year, while the flowering period of hydrangeas is from June to August every year. Therefore, geraniums flower earlier and fade earlier than hydrangeas.
In addition, regarding the differences in the care of the two kinds of flowers, hydrangeas originally grew in coastal areas such as Sichuan, China, and Japan, and then were introduced to other countries. In terms of care, it is a short-day plant that likes moisture, is afraid of dryness, and is not very cold-resistant. In terms of daily watering, don't pour too much water at one time, but water slowly until the soil is completely wet. Also, avoid direct sunlight. During the growth period, some fertilizers rich in phosphorus and potassium can be applied to help the plant recover its vitality. On the other hand, geraniums are perennial herbaceous plants. They like light, are not cold-resistant, like drought, and are afraid of being flooded. They are native to southern Africa and are later planted all over the world.