Tip #11: Geraniums (Pelargonium)
No list of summer flowers is complete without the classic zonal geranium. With their bold, spherical flower heads and attractively scalloped leaves, geraniums bring a touch of Mediterranean charm to patios and front porches. They are universally recognized, incredibly reliable, and remarkably easy to grow.
Geraniums thrive in containers, window boxes, and hanging baskets. To keep them happy, you must let the soil dry out significantly between waterings. Yellowing leaves near the bottom of the plant often indicate that you are providing too much water or that the container lacks proper drainage holes.
Deadheading geraniums requires a specific technique to keep the plant healthy. Do not just cut the flower head off; instead, follow the flower stem all the way down to where it meets the main branch. Grab the stem firmly and snap it backward. It will break off cleanly at the joint, preventing the remaining hollow stem from rotting and inviting disease into the main plant.
