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| "Peppermint Twist" |
The time is almost here to plant our gardens, and start to enjoy the 2013 growing season. Hopefully you've given thought to the colours and textures you hope to create in both your garden and your pots and planters. The options available to you are endless!
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| "Raspberry Twizzle" |
One plant that has long been a staple in the garden and window box is the geranium. To be honest that has always been one of my least favorite annuals... Until recently.
Spending time in a greenhouse prior to the growing season has given me a true appreciation for these plants that I have often overlooked. The colours, varieties, and uses are endless, and I can honestly say my garden and planters will include a couple of geraniums this year.
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| "Rocky Mountain Light Pink" |
I have always thought of them sort as a plant my grandmother would have kept, as I've often seen gardeners with years of experience planting geraniums year after year. If you've read other posts in my blog you know that I tend to like the unusual flowers and varieties available. The plain red geranium isn't one i would consider, however there are so many more beautiful options its hard not to become enamored with a couple of the varieties available.
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| "Cascade White" |
There are more varieties and colours available than a single blog posting could ever get into, I am going to highlight a few of my favorites in the photographs on this blog. There are many more I don't currently have photo's of. Some geraniums are grown for their flowers, others for their leaves, others for scent. There are upright, and trailing varieties, the selection really is endless.
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| "Americana White Splash" |
Geraniums care is quite easy, which is likely one of the reason they have been so popular for so long. The main requirements for geraniums (as with most annuals) is light, water, and fertilizer... If you get the right mix of all 3 of these factors, you're sure to have success!
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| "Caliente Fire" |
Geraniums require a lot of light... full sun is preferred. By full sun, the hot afternoon sun is required to keep these flowers happy and blooming for the full season. All geraniums will tolerate partial sun or filtered sun, but you may not get the quantity of blooms this plant is capable of providing.
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| "Classic White" |
Watering Geraniums is crucial... Although geraniums can withstand
BRIEF times of dryness, they really should be kept evenly moist all the way to the bottom of the roots... but not wet (soggy). This is particularly important in hot dry weather... as a rule the more hot and sunny the weather... the more water your plant needs! If the plant doesn't get enough water you're sure to notice it in the leaves, and it won't bloom to its full potential.
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| "Americana Rose Mega Splash" |
Fertilizing is equally important to keep your geraniums (and other annuals) blooming and growing. Feed your geraniums weekly as they are heavy feeders... I like to use a balanced fertilizer like 15-15-15 or 20-20-20 water soluble fertilizer once a week throughout the growing season. This will ensure that you get constant and prolific blooms and active growth throughout the season. If you're not able to commit to regular fertilizing like this, a slow release fertilizer is a good alternative, mixing the required amount (and a bit more for geraniums) into the soil will release small amounts of fertilizer with every water... Although the water soluble fertilizer is definitely the preferred method.
In order to keep your plants looking good, it is important to dead-head the finished blooms by pinching them off, I like to do this as close to the stem as possible to keep the plant looking its best.
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| "King of Balcon" |
If you happen to see your leaves yellowing, it is very likely one of two problems... either too much water, or too little water. If the soil seems soggy constantly, drainage might be an issue, and you should cut back a bit on the watering... if the soil is dry and dusty, your plant needs more water. It is a good habit to replace the soil in your containers and window boxes every year.
Many people overwinter their geraniums indoors, in a bright window in the house... I don't recommend doing this, as it normally takes these older plants longer to get going in the spring, and the plants don't end up being as vigorous as new plants... However the option is definitely there. I like to change my colours and varieties up from year to year... and in all honesty... I don't have the room to keep them over.
Geraniums are normally fairly inexpensive... If you have planted them in the past, try a new variety... if you haven't planted them (like me) give them a try! I know my garden will have a few of the varieties mentioned on this blog this year!
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"Rocky Mountain Pink"
All Photographs on this blog taken by Paul Gellatly |
Throughout the season I have four different jobs in the field of horticulture, in addition to writing this blog... I'm a gardener with the City of Toronto, a Greenhouse assistant at a small country greenhouse, and a Perennial Sales Associate at Plant World, I also do private landscape consulting. All of these positions although varied... provide me with a network of incredibly knowledgeable friends and co-workers.
"To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow" Audrey Hepburn. This has to be one of my favorite garden quotes... It is very true! As some of you know I moved into a house, after being in a condo for 4 years... needless to say my front yard was transformed into my little garden oasis. I planted 14 different Japanese Maples, 2 different clumping bamboos, 6 different hydrangeas...along with countless other annuals, perennials and shrubs. My garden although only in its first season, unofficially became part of a garden tour in my city, and I have been approached to officially be on an upcoming tour. I am already planning on some changes and additions to the garden next season... including a small pond, and flagstone path and seating area.
Every year in life we continue to change, and grow... This past year I had Lasik Eye Surgery, and Gastric Bypass surgery... I've lost 85 pounds to date, and I can see! In the same way we change and grow, the garden is constantly changing and with patience, love and a bit of luck... growing! Its time to start looking through seed and plant catalogs, and checking online as many companies are phasing out the paper copies and switching to online versions. I'm going to highlight a couple of companies in upcoming blogs that I truly feel offer some quality plants.
