Geraniums are popular flowers for the garden and many gardeners also grow them in containers. The plants bloom all summer long and add a colorful flair to your outdoor space. You can plant standing geraniums or hanging geraniums and enrich the garden or balcony with a variety of magnificent flowers. White geraniums are particularly popular because they offer bright and lush blooms. Geranium Rozanne is also preferred by many because of its magnificent colors. You can plant geraniums in May because they need warmth and light and now is the perfect time to plant them. Read our post to get all the tips if you want to grow this beautiful flower!
When to plant geraniums
When do you plant geraniums? Since the flowers are not frost-resistant, they should not be planted outdoors when it is cold. You just need to grow them indoors during the cold months. When can you plant geraniums outside? The flowers are best planted when there is no longer any danger of frost, usually in May.
If you are growing geraniums indoors, fall planting will help the plant establish more quickly. Once the flowers are established, wait for the frosts to subside before moving them outdoors around May. You can plant geraniums in soil only when it is warm enough. Add geranium-specific growing medium to the soil during planting.
What you need for planting
It's easy to plant geraniums. Here are the tools and materials needed:
- Shovel or spade
- Compost or rotted manure
- A sunny location
- Water source nearby
How to plant geraniums correctly
Follow these steps:
- Dig a hole and add compost.
- Set the plant deep enough so that the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface.
- Fill the hole with soil and laya layer of mulcharound the plant. This is how the moisture is stored.
- Tamp the soil around the roots and water well.
Geranium care tips
Geraniums are easy-care flowers. If you want to enjoy the lush flowers, your plants need some care. Remove wilted flowers regularly as they unnecessarily deprive the geranium of resources and the plant does not look good. You should also remove yellowing leaves to keep your plant looking pretty. If many leaves turn yellow, wait until the soil dries before watering again. The flower prefers well-drained, fertile soil.
If you want to encourage the plant's bushiness, cut back the stems. During the active growing season, fertilize about every 2 weeks with a water-soluble fertilizer at half strength. Do not fertilize in winter when the plant is dormant.
Choose the right geranium location
Geraniums need to be planted in a location with partial to full sun and at least 4 hours of sunlight per day. If your flowersin the blazing sunstand, water them regularly as the plants need a lot of water to grow healthily.
Planting geraniums in May: distance between plants
Geraniums look beautiful when planted in groups. Please note that the plants need enough space between each other to thrive. Good air circulation and sunlight are crucial for healthy growth. Plant geraniums at least 12 inches apart. If you plant the flowers in pots, ensure a distance of approx. 35 cm.
When to repot and propagate the flowers
Geraniums can be repotted every spring to keep them strong and encourage flowering. The plants are very easy to propagate through cuttings.
- Take a 4 – 6 cm long cutting from your plant.
- Remove all but the top two or three leaves and any flower buds on the cutting.
- Take a container and fill it with potting soil. Then poke a hole in the soil and plant the cutting. The appropriate depth of planting is about one centimeter.
- Keep the cutting moist and warm and out of direct sunlight until it is well established. It takes a few weeks for the plant to take root.
Choose easy-care varieties for gardens and containers
Choose varieties that are easy to care for and require little attention. Geraniums are common and reliable plants that can be used for both beds and containers. Both annual and perennial geraniums belong to the Geraniaceae family. The annual geraniums, which are popular as bedding and pot plants, come from the genus Pelargonium.
The flowers of pelargoniums (Pelargonium x hortorum) appear in bright balls that sprout from the plant's foliage and create a magnificentForm spring flowers. These types of geraniums can be planted well in containers. Ivy-leaved pelargoniums (Pelargonium peltatum) are perfect for pots or hanging baskets and ensure lush flowers for every container.
