Growing Geraniums Outdoors

The common geranium (Pelargonium) can be easily planted in garden beds and planters outdoors. For successful growth, you must wait until all threat of frost has passed. Pick a spot that is sheltered from strong winds and gets at least 6 hours of sun a day. The soil should be well drained and mildly acidic (pH of 6.5 is ideal).

Geraniums need fertilization for best growth and they thrive in beds that have a good supply of nitrogen. Before planting, apply a 5-10-5 fertilizer to the soil. After planting, you should fertilize every month with a 10-10-10 fertilizer. Mulch the area and water at least once a week.

Geraniums will grow just as well in outdoor planters as in your garden bed. The key is to make sure you pick a planter big enough to support growth of the plant. Use a soil that has plenty of aeration like a commercial mix or garden dirt mixed with perlite. Use a container that will drain well and even add some rocks to the bottom so that your plant does not sit in the water. Plant in a sunny spot that is protected from strong wind. Fertilize monthly and water weekly.

Some Ineresting Geraniums For Your Garden:

Geranium Salome is a late blooming plant with striking light purple flowers with dark purple veins and centers accented by chartreuse foliage. It blooms in mid summer and continues until the weather turns cold. Salome grows to 12” tall.

Geranium Patricia is one of the taller hardy geraniums and grows to about 20”. It has striking magenta flowers and medium green leaves.

Geranium Purple Pillow is rich in deep reddish purple color. A striking border plant, it grows to about 10 inches tall and is covered in flowers in the spring and into the summer. Accented by silver haired leaves, this plant will bloom for month if it is properly dead-headded.

Geranium Hocus Pocus a hardy geranium that has 2” lavender blooms with white centers and the striking contrast of black anthers. Reaching 16” in height the dark foliage and red veined stems add to the drama of this flower.

Citronella geranium is a scented flowering plant that smells like citronella and repels insects. It is grown especially for the oil of citronella and is sometimes sold as the Mosquito plant.

Rose Geranium or pelargonium roseum is used for it’s essential oils and medicinal properties. It is said to help heal skin problems, PMS and even reduce hot flashes. This plant has the slight scent of roses and is a great ornamental plant with small pink flowers.

Geranium Sanguineum is a hardy geranium of the Geraniaceae family. Native to Europe, it has a reddish purple to pink flower and blooms from May to June. A good border plant, it grows to about 15 inches in height.

Jolly Bee Geranium has large cupped blue flowers with white centers and dark veins next to soft velvety leaves. It has a very long blooming season.

Geranium Biokovo has white flowers with pink veins set against dark green foliage. This variety is resistant to deer and attracts bees and butterflies.

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