Calliope Dark Red

Family: Geraniaceae Zonal Geranium

Velvety, near-black cherry blooms of Calliope Dark Red open with a dramatic, velour-like depth—each petal catching light like polished velvet.

The compact bedding habit forms a tidy mound of lush foliage, while the flowers repeat reliably for long-lasting color in containers and garden borders. Ideal for instant impact in planters, window boxes, and mass plantings where you want rich, dark romance from spring through fall.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 80 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Calliope Dark Red

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 14th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	80
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Ornamental bedding geranium (Pelargonium × hortorum) with dark decorative blooms; even though the field says is_edible true, this variety isn’t presented/guaranteed as a culinary flower for eating—treat it as decoration only unless you have a verified edible pelargonium source.

Flavor Profile

Not a culinary fruit or herb; the “pelargonium” bedding bloom flavor isn’t reliably food-grade Velvety flower texture, but not typically used as an edible ingredient

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem commonly affects Pelargonium × hortorum (Geranium) and how do I treat it?

Watch for gray mold (Botrytis) and leaf spots, especially if plants stay wet or have poor airflow. Water the soil only (not the leaves), space plants so foliage doesn’t touch, and remove any infected leaves right away. If spots spread or gray fuzz appears, use a labeled fungicide for ornamental geraniums and repeat as directed on the label.

How often should I water Pelargonium × hortorum during the main growing phase?

During active growth, water when the top 1–2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch, then water thoroughly until excess drains. Pelargonium × hortorum prefers evenly moist soil but will suffer if kept constantly wet, so avoid daily light watering that keeps the root zone soggy. In full sun, containers often need more frequent checks; adjust to keep that top inch drying between waterings.

How can I tell when Pelargonium × hortorum is ready to harvest?

Pelargonium × hortorum isn’t typically “harvested” like a fruit crop, so maturity is judged by ready-to-use blooms and foliage quality. Start harvesting stems/leaves for use once plants are well-established and consistently forming flower buds, which is usually around the 80-day mark from sowing. For best results, pick blooms and pinch back stems just as buds open, and stop heavy harvesting once flowering begins to decline.