Pelargoniums with a difference
From variegated or scented foliage, to varieties that are tempting trailers, these plants will brighten up summer
Every year, scarlet geraniums (pelargoniums) are planted in those huge sweeping beds outside Buckingham Palace. They’re undeniably colourful, but in the same way that a postbox is colourful – not exactly subtle!
For geraniums that are far more than simply a primary colour, look for varieties with variegated or coloured leaves or with fragrant foliage, varieties that trail or climb, or succulent species from the African desert. Most of these are colourful too, but in a far more stylish or interesting way, and many also flower well without hitting you between the eyes. There are even some with yellow flowers.
Very few of these geraniums will survive the winter outside, even in the cosiest corner of our warmest gardens – and we should assume that they won’t. But on a summer patio they’re indispensable and always repay the close attention that we can give them as we relax in the sun.
These are often best grown as specimens in individual pots – terracotta always looks good or, for a more modern look, black or blue. Try planting smaller, densely bushy plants around the edge in case upright varieties lose some of their basal leaves – lobelia or nemesia will fill in the gaps and hide any leafless growth.
As summer fades we can take cuttings to provide us with new plants for next year, and many will root in water on the windowsill. Then, before the winter chills, we can move their pots into a porch or sunroom or into the conservatory just as we spend more time in there ourselves. Many will continue to delight and intrigue us until spring. Then, they can be livened up and refreshed for another summer on the patio.