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Giant
Geranium
54. 58. 55. 47. Not new math but these numbers represent the
dimensions of one giant geranium. The plant boasts 54 salmon
blossoms, stands 58” tall, 55” wide, and 47” deep. It thrives in
the sunroom of Pat McLear and was purchased as a start fifteen years
ago by her mother, Ruth McLear.
At first, the geranium lived in Ruth’s garden on Dogwood Drive.
It spent winters in her son’s sunny home. Then Ruth went to live
at Brookdale and Pat moved to Chestnut Circle, both Greenville
addresses. Pat inherited the hardy geranium. “I water it
every Sunday and fertilize it every other Sunday,” said Pat.
Charlene Thornhill, master gardener and president of the DARKE COUNTY
ASSOCIATION OF GARDEN CLUBS: Butterflies Junior Club, Ladybug and
Wildflower, visited the McLear Geranium and said, “It is the biggest I
have ever seen! What a great accomplishment to keep this geranium
for 15 years!”
In the past year, the plant has grown 20” and Pat has added four
supporting stakes to the stems and branches. She occasionally
deadheads spent blossoms or withered leaves. Ruth enjoys coming
to visit her daughter and “their” giant geranium.
“You can witness the love and care it has received,” said
Thornhill. “Many people try to over-winter geraniums with little
success. This plant is a great reflection of the person who is
caring for it and the ideal conditions she has it placed in."
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