Maverick™ Orange
Pelargonium x hortorum
Photo: Freddo213 · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY 4.0)
3-5" flower heads on compact, densely branched plants. Blooms spring through late summer, providing a long flowering window and color all season long. Ideal for containers, window boxes, and garden beds. Charming addition to early plant sales for market growers. Tolerates heat and humidity. Orange-red blooms contrast with dark green foliage. To maintain flowering and vigor, deadhead plants occasionally.
Harvest
85-100d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
1–11
USDA hardiness
Height
12-24 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Maverick™ Orange in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 flower →Zone Map
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Maverick™ Orange · Zones 1–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | May – June | July – August | July – September | — |
| Zone 2 | April – May | June – July | June – August | — |
| Zone 11 | January – January | January – February | January – March | — |
| Zone 12 | January – January | January – February | January – March | — |
| Zone 13 | January – January | January – February | January – March | — |
| Zone 3 | April – May | June – July | June – August | — |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – June | June – July | — |
| Zone 5 | March – April | May – June | May – July | — |
| Zone 6 | March – April | May – June | May – July | — |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | April – June | — |
| Zone 8 | February – March | April – May | April – June | — |
| Zone 9 | January – February | March – April | March – May | — |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | February – April | — |
Complete Growing Guide
3-5" flower heads on compact, densely branched plants. Blooms spring through late summer, providing a long flowering window and color all season long. Ideal for containers, window boxes, and garden beds. Charming addition to early plant sales for market growers. Tolerates heat and humidity. Orange-red blooms contrast with dark green foliage. To maintain flowering and vigor, deadhead plants occasionally. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Maverick™ Orange is 85 - 100 days to maturity, annual, hybrid (f1). Notable features: Grows Well in Containers, Fragrant.
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Propagation: Stem Cutting.
Harvesting
Maverick™ Orange reaches harvest at 85 - 100 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 3-5" at peak. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.
Edibility: Leaves in tea and flavorings
Storage & Preservation
Maverick® Orange flowers are best enjoyed fresh and should be stored in a cool location with high humidity to extend vase life. Keep cut flowers in room-temperature water away from direct sunlight and ripening fruits. For fresh arrangements, flowers last 7-10 days with daily water changes. To preserve blooms longer, dry them by hanging upside down in a warm, well-ventilated area for 2-3 weeks, which maintains color well. Alternatively, press flowers between paper for dried arrangements, or preserve in silica gel for 3-5 days to retain shape and color. These preservation methods work well for crafts and decorative projects.
History & Origin
Maverick™ Orange is an F1 hybrid developed through controlled cross-pollination. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.
Origin: Africa
Advantages
- +Long flowering season from spring through late summer ensures continuous color
- +Compact, densely branched growth habit ideal for containers and window boxes
- +Vibrant orange-red blooms contrast beautifully with dark green foliage
- +Excellent heat and humidity tolerance makes it reliable in challenging conditions
- +Early maturity at 85-100 days perfect for spring plant sales timing
Considerations
- -Requires regular deadheading to maintain flowering and prevent leggy growth
- -Orange color may fade or bleach in intense afternoon sunlight
- -Susceptible to powdery mildew in humid conditions without good air circulation
Companion Plants
Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) and alyssum are the two worth prioritizing next to Maverick Orange — marigolds deter aphids and whiteflies through scent compounds in their foliage, and alyssum draws in parasitic wasps that do real, sustained pest control work. Nasturtiums pull double duty as a trap crop for aphids, concentrating them away from your geraniums. Basil is a decent neighbor too, though the pest-repellent case for it is thin; you're mostly getting a useful herb out of the deal. Skip black walnut within at least 50 feet — its juglone toxin moves through the soil and will stunt Pelargonium reliably, and in our zone 7 Georgia gardens, walnut trees show up in fence lines and old homesites often enough that it's worth a site check before you put transplants in the ground.
Plant Together
Marigold
Repels nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies while attracting beneficial insects
Alyssum
Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles while adding complementary colors
Petunias
Repels aphids, tomato hornworms, and squash bugs with natural pest-deterrent properties
Basil
Repels thrips, flies, and mosquitoes while attracting pollinators
Zinnia
Attracts beneficial insects and butterflies while providing similar growing conditions
Cosmos
Attracts beneficial insects and provides structural support without competing for nutrients
Lavender
Repels moths, fleas, and mice while attracting pollinators with complementary fragrance
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can cause wilting in sensitive plants
Fennel
Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of most garden plants
Eucalyptus
Produces allelopathic oils that suppress growth of nearby flowering plants
Pests & Disease Resistance
Common Pests
Whiteflies, spider mites, aphids
Diseases
Powdery mildew, leaf spot
Troubleshooting Maverick™ Orange
What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.
Tiny white insects flying up from leaves when you brush the plant, with yellowing or sticky residue on foliage
Likely Causes
- Whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) infestation — common on geraniums in warm weather, especially in crowded plantings
- Overhead watering that weakens leaf surfaces and attracts soft-bodied insects
What to Do
- 1.Spray the undersides of leaves with insecticidal soap every 5-7 days for 3 weeks — that's where the eggs are
- 2.Hang yellow sticky traps near the plants to catch adults and gauge population size
- 3.Space plants at least 12 inches apart to cut down on the warm, still air whiteflies prefer
Fine bronze or silver stippling across the upper leaf surface, with tiny webbing on the undersides in dry spells
Likely Causes
- Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) — thrives when temps climb above 85°F and humidity drops
- Dry, dusty conditions that go unchecked for more than a week
What to Do
- 1.Knock mites off with a firm spray of water from the hose, hitting leaf undersides especially
- 2.Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap in the early morning so the plant isn't sitting wet in afternoon heat
- 3.Water consistently — mites spike hardest on stressed, drought-stricken plants
White powdery coating on upper leaf surfaces, usually starting on older interior leaves first
Likely Causes
- Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) — a fungal disease that spreads in humid air with poor circulation
- Planting too close together, or placing geraniums against a fence or wall that traps moisture
What to Do
- 1.Remove and bin (don't compost) affected leaves immediately
- 2.Apply a potassium bicarbonate spray or diluted neem oil weekly until new growth comes in clean
- 3.Thin the planting or move containers to a spot with better airflow — 6+ hours of direct sun also helps dry the foliage fast
Dark brown or water-soaked spots on leaves, sometimes with a yellow halo, spreading across the plant over 1-2 weeks
Likely Causes
- Bacterial leaf spot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. pelargonii) — spreads quickly in warm, wet conditions and through contaminated tools
- Overhead irrigation that keeps foliage wet for extended periods
What to Do
- 1.Cut off affected leaves and stems with clean shears — wipe blades with 70% isopropyl alcohol between cuts
- 2.Switch to drip irrigation or water at the base only; avoid wetting the foliage
- 3.If more than half the plant is affected, pull it entirely — Xanthomonas on geraniums doesn't typically reverse once it's taken hold across the canopy
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do Maverick® Orange flowers bloom?▼
Is Maverick® Orange good for beginners?▼
Can you grow Maverick® Orange in containers?▼
What are the light requirements for Maverick® Orange?▼
When should I plant Maverick® Orange?▼
How often should I deadhead Maverick® Orange?▼
Growing Guides from Wind River Greens
Where to Buy Seeds
Sources & References
External authority sources used in compiling this guide.
- BreederJohnny's Selected Seeds
See the Methodology page for how this data is sourced, what's AI-assisted, and known limitations.