If you’ve never considered growing geraniums, you should consider planting them in your garden this year because they are beautiful and easy to care for. Classic geraniums love hot weather, resist drought well, and brighten the garden in a variety of colors. No wonder it’s been a garden favorite for years! With this guide, we can support you from the start of the planting season through winter.
If bright colors are your thing all summer long, annual geraniums are for you. Annuals are much less expensive than perennials and don’t limit you to having the same flowers every year. These plants need a few hours of sunlight but are generally drought resistant and can grow in a variety of colors and heights.
Perennial geraniums are often considered a true or hardy plant, which is quite different from annuals. They regrow each season and last for several years, so they are low maintenance once planted. The perennial thrives in sun or part shade, comes in a variety of colors and reaches a height of 60cm.
Choose your geraniums
Consider your garden and surroundings when choosing geraniums. If your garden doesn’t get much sun, the perennial sandpiper may be a better choice, as it can grow in partial shade. Color options include white, pink, blue, and bright purple.
Annual hanging ivy geraniums and annual common geraniums thrive in full sun and have long growing seasons. Ivy geraniums grow well in hanging baskets and mixed pots, while common geraniums are better suited as bedding plants.
When choosing geraniums, you can tell how healthy your plant is by its foliage, color, and size. Healthy geraniums have thick stems and undiscolored leaves. Visible signs of pests and plant damage should be avoided.
Plants – in the garden and in containers
Geraniums are easy to care for and adapt to the season and environment. If growing the flower in the garden, place it in porous soil to ensure good drainage. Fertilize with a rich soluble fertilizer every two to three weeks and water the base of the plant when the soil dries out. The best time to plant geraniums is after the last winter frost. Don’t forget to keep at least 18 inches apart to avoid overcrowding.
When planted in containers, root growth is restricted. We recommend fertile soil. Containers can dry faster. Therefore, we recommend that you keep an eye on the soil and water your geraniums when the soil surface is dry.
Geranium Care
Don’t water too much! Geraniums will thrive if given time to dry out between watering. During the active growing months, apply a water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks.
If planting in pots, use a soilless potting mix instead of soil. Make sure the pot has drainage holes to avoid root rot, and don’t place a tripod under the pot unless it’s filled with pebbles.
Pruning
To promote bushiness, pinch your geranium stems in early spring. Once the geraniums are a few inches tall, cut off a quarter to a half inch from the end of each stem. This forces the geranium to grow two new stems from the original stem, resulting in a fuller plant. Prune geraniums in late fall or before moving them indoors. Remove all dead brown leaves and flowers. If the geranium stem is still firm, it is healthy.
