Geranium Plants

More About Geranium Plants

Choosing the Right Geranium for Your Garden

Selecting the right geranium depends on where it will be planted and what you want to achieve by growing it. Hardy geranium plants are ideal for borders and ground cover, forming clumps that return reliably each spring and often flower for months. Perennial geraniums, meanwhile, cope well with cooler temperatures and suit mixed borders, cottage gardens and naturalistic planting schemes.

Trailing geranium plants are best suited to containers, hanging baskets and raised planters, where their flexible stems can spill over the edges in a dramatic display. These varieties excel in sunny spots and reward regular deadheading with continuous trails of colour. Scented geraniums suit patios and doorways, where their fragrant foliage can be enjoyed up close, and many also perform well in containers that can be moved to sheltered positions if needed.

Most varieties of geraniums prefer a bright, open position with well-drained soil. While many thrive in full sun, hardy geraniums often tolerate light shade, making them useful for less exposed areas of the garden.

Geranium Flowers and Seasonal Interest

The appeal of geranium flowers lies in their long season and generous nature. Many varieties begin flowering in late spring and continue well into autumn, especially with regular care. Hardy geraniums often offer a softer, more natural look with open blooms that attract pollinators, while bedding and trailing types deliver bold, eye-catching colour, particularly in those spaces often otherwise left bare.

Perennial geraniums provide attractive foliage, with many varieties offering fresh green leaves that form a dense, weed-suppressing cover. Some even take on subtle autumn tones as the season winds down, extending their interest beyond flowering alone. This combination of flower power and foliage makes geraniums invaluable for creating full, layered planting schemes.

How to Plant and Care for Geranium Plants

Geranium plants are refreshingly easy to care for. Plant them into well-prepared, free-draining soil and water thoroughly until established. Once settled, most varieties are tolerant of short dry spells, although container-grown plants will benefit from more regular watering during warm weather.

Deadheading encourages continued flowering, particularly for trailing geraniums and bedding types. Hardy geranium plants need very little attention, with a simple trim after flowering helping to refresh foliage and promote tidy regrowth. Feeding with a balanced fertiliser during the growing season supports strong growth and abundant blooms.

Whether filling borders with perennial geraniums, adding colour to containers with trailing varieties, or enjoying the fragrance of scented beauties, these plants reward minimal effort with outstanding results. With such versatility and reliability, it is easy to see why geraniums remain a staple of UK gardens...