Hybrid

Maverick™ Salmon

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. Salmon-pink 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

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Maverick™ Salmon in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Maverick™ Salmon · Zones 1–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

WaterRegular

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorSalmon-pink

Size3-5"

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

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™ Salmon 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

Fresh-cut Maverick® Salmon flowers should be stored in a vase with cool water at room temperature (65-72°F) away from direct sunlight and ripening fruit, which emit ethylene gas. Change water every 2-3 days and trim stems at an angle for optimal hydration. Cut flowers last 7-10 days in a vase. For preservation, air-dry by hanging bundles upside-down in a cool, dark space with good air circulation for 1-2 weeks to create dried arrangements. Alternatively, press individual flowers between parchment paper under heavy books for 2-3 weeks for scrapbooking or craft projects.

History & Origin

Maverick™ Salmon is an F1 hybrid developed through controlled cross-pollination. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: Africa

Advantages

+Salmon-pink flowers provide striking contrast with dark green foliage year-round
+Long 85-100 day blooming window delivers color spring through late summer
+Compact, densely branched growth habit ideal for containers and window boxes
+Heat and humidity tolerant makes it reliable in challenging climates
+Quick 85-100 days to market blooms perfect for early plant sales

Considerations

-Requires occasional deadheading to maintain continuous flowering and plant vigor
-Salmon color may fade or shift in intense afternoon sun exposure
-Geraniums susceptible to botrytis and rust in humid, poorly ventilated conditions
-Dense branching can trap moisture and promote fungal disease development

Companion Plants

Marigolds (especially Tagetes patula) are the most practical neighbor here — their root secretions deter soil nematodes, and they draw whiteflies away from the pelargoniums before those pests get established. Sweet alyssum stays low enough not to compete for light and pulls in parasitic wasps that go after aphids; nasturtiums do similar trap-crop work, though you'll need to check them weekly once aphid pressure builds. Skip fennel entirely — it releases allelopathic compounds from its roots that suppress growth in most nearby plants, and pelargoniums are not an exception. Black walnut is the other one to avoid: juglone from walnut roots concentrates enough within 50 feet to stunt or kill a planting outright, and there's no recovering once the damage shows up.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and provides ground cover

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing pests away

Petunias

Repel aphids, tomato hornworms, and squash bugs naturally

Lavender

Deters moths, fleas, and flies while attracting pollinators

Catnip

Repels mosquitoes, ants, and aphids more effectively than DEET

Zinnia

Attracts beneficial predatory insects and provides complementary colors

Cosmos

Attracts beneficial insects and provides height variation in garden design

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that stunts growth and can kill sensitive plants

Eucalyptus

Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of nearby plants

Fennel

Secretes growth-inhibiting chemicals and competes aggressively for nutrients

Troubleshooting Maverick™ Salmon

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Leaves showing water-soaked brown patches that spread quickly, often with gray fuzzy growth on the underside

Likely Causes

Botrytis cinerea (gray mold) — thrives in cool, humid, still air
Overhead watering that keeps foliage wet for hours

What to Do

1.Remove and trash all affected leaves and stems immediately — don't compost them
2.Water at the base of the plant, not overhead, and do it in the morning so soil dries before nightfall
3.Space plants at least 12 inches apart to get air moving between them

Yellowing leaves with tiny bronze stippling across the surface, worst on new growth

Likely Causes

Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) — population explodes in hot, dry conditions above 80°F
Plants stressed from underwatering, which makes them more susceptible

What to Do

1.Spray the undersides of leaves hard with water three days in a row to knock mite populations down
2.Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil in the early morning — two applications, 5-7 days apart
3.Keep soil moisture consistent; drought-stressed plants get hit harder and recover slower

Stems rotting at or just below the soil line, plant wilts and collapses even when soil is moist

Likely Causes

Pythium root rot — a water mold that moves fast in waterlogged or poorly drained soil
Containers without drainage holes, or transplanting into cold, wet soil below 55°F

What to Do

1.Pull the plant — if the stem base is black and mushy, it's gone; don't try to save it
2.Let the surrounding soil dry out before replanting, and amend with perlite to improve drainage
3.Don't transplant outdoors until nighttime temps are reliably above 50°F

Flower buds failing to open, or petals browning and clumping together without dropping cleanly

Likely Causes

Botrytis cinerea colonizing spent blooms — old flower tissue is its preferred entry point
High humidity combined with poor air circulation during cool nights below 60°F

What to Do

1.Deadhead every 5-7 days — pull the entire flower stem back to the base, not just the petals
2.Don't position Maverick Salmon directly against a wall or solid fence where overnight air stagnates
3.If the problem persists into a second flush, a copper-based fungicide applied to developing buds can slow spread

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Maverick® Salmon flowers bloom throughout the season?▼

Maverick® Salmon flowers provide continuous blooms from spring through late summer, typically flowering for 85-100 days from transplant. With proper deadheading to remove spent flowers, plants maintain vigor and produce blooms throughout the entire warm season, making them excellent for sustained color in gardens and containers.

Can you grow Maverick® Salmon in containers and window boxes?▼

Yes, Maverick® Salmon is ideal for container gardening. Its compact, densely branched growth habit makes it perfect for window boxes, hanging baskets, and garden pots. Ensure containers have good drainage and use quality potting soil. Regular watering and occasional deadheading will keep plants blooming abundantly throughout the season.

Is Maverick® Salmon good for beginner gardeners?▼

Absolutely. Maverick® Salmon is rated as an easy-to-grow variety, making it perfect for beginners. It tolerates heat and humidity well, requires minimal maintenance beyond occasional deadheading, and thrives in full sun. Its reliable performance and long flowering window make it a forgiving choice for novice growers.

When should I plant Maverick® Salmon flowers?▼

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost date, then transplant seedlings outdoors after frost danger has passed. Maverick® Salmon prefers full sun (6+ hours daily) and warm conditions. In most regions, transplanting occurs in late spring for early summer blooms through fall.

How often should I deadhead Maverick® Salmon plants?▼

Deadhead spent flower heads occasionally throughout the growing season to maintain flowering vigor and encourage bushier growth. Regular deadheading, even just once weekly, significantly extends the blooming period and keeps plants looking full and attractive through late summer.

Why are Maverick® Salmon flowers popular with market growers?▼

Maverick® Salmon's compact size, rapid 85-100 day production cycle, and long flowering window make it ideal for early plant sales. Growers appreciate its reliable performance, heat and humidity tolerance, and attractive salmon-pink blooms that sell well to consumers seeking colorful, low-maintenance plants for containers and garden beds.