If you’re thinking about doing container gardening, you have plenty of options. Whether you’re going with perennial geraniums or companion plants, you’ll find a wide variety of choices. But there are a few things you’ll want to think about.

Perennial geraniums

If you have a sunny spot in your yard or patio, it is easy to create an attractive container garden with perennial geraniums. Geraniums are a versatile garden plant that offers a long bloom period, beautiful foliage, and low maintenance. They are suitable for containers, window boxes, and raised beds.

Depending on your climate, you may find that your geraniums need more or less water. If the temperature is too hot, you should water them every two or three days. Conversely, if the weather is too cold, you should water them less frequently. In addition, geraniums need a consistent feeding schedule. This can be accomplished with a liquid fertilizer or a slow release organic fertilizer.

To grow geraniums, you need to make sure that the soil has good drainage. You should also be aware of the difference between annual and perennial geraniums. While the latter is usually treated as an annual plant, the former will come back for years. It is important that you feed your plants on a regular basis, whether they are in the ground or in a pot. Some common geraniums are hardy enough to survive winter, but other varieties will need to be stored indoors.

Perennial geraniums will grow in a pot, but they will need more water and feeding than those planted in the ground. When planting, choose a container that has a hole in the bottom and one that allows the crown of the plant to sit level with the soil. Also, be sure that the hole is well-drained, as a soaked geranium can rot.

The best time to begin planting geraniums in containers is early spring. Plants can also be brought in during the winter. Be careful when moving a plant in the winter, however, as geraniums need to be kept cool. They should not be moved into the sun when the temperatures are over 50 degrees Fahrenheit. A frost-proof container will protect your plant from freezing.

Once the geranium is fully grown, it will need to be divided every few years. If you are planting a large variety, you may have to prune the stems to maintain their shape and size. Hardy geraniums can be bought in bare root forms, or you can purchase them as potted plants.

Once you have placed your geranium in a container, you can fertilize it with a slow release organic fertilizer. You can even add compost to the soil around your plants to encourage growth. However, you should avoid using fertilizer with an excessive amount of nitrogen. Using too much nitrogen will cause the flowers to fade.

Using a mulch around your geraniums will help to prevent weeds from growing. You can also apply a layer of fertilizer at least a couple of weeks before the blooming season starts.

Companion plants

Geraniums are a popular flowering plant for container gardens. They have pretty green leaves and gorgeous flowers, and they are easy to grow. In addition to their beautiful appearance, they are also an effective pest repellent. Unlike many other plants, geraniums do not require the use of chemical fungicides. The plant also produces flowers for an extended period of time.

Planting geraniums together with a few companion plants will help the flowers to thrive. Companion plants can be a variety of different species, and they should complement each other in terms of their color, form, and growing requirements. These plants will also repel insects that can harm your crop, such as cabbage white butterflies.

Some plants will repel slugs and leaf hoppers, while others may attract beneficial insects. Some of these plants include begonias, marigolds, chrysanthemums, and basil. Choosing the right companions for your container garden will make all the difference.

When you plant geraniums with other plants, choose ones that have similar growing conditions, including soil type, sunlight, water, and drainage. This will help to create a natural, informal look. Another benefit to planting a mixture of plants is that you will have a variety of colors to choose from. If you have an eye for color, you can make a bold scheme by pairing geraniums with plants that are primarily red, blue, or yellow.

A hardy geranium makes a great companion to plants with larger flowers, like lilies, roses, or daisies. Several varieties of geraniums are semi-evergreen, so they look great planted with grasses or other shade-loving flowers. Depending on the variety, some geraniums develop additional colors in the fall.

Geraniums can be planted in a wide range of containers. Their low height and dark foliage make them ideal for window boxes, but they can also be grown in other locations, such as patios, porches, or in the garden. You can even propagate geraniums from cuttings, so you don’t have to worry about losing your favorite plant!

One of the best companions for geraniums is rosemary. Rosemary is a fragrant perennial that has small blue or purple flowers that look great when placed in a container. It also grows well in full sun.

Basil is another herb that can be used as a companion to geraniums. It is a very easy plant to grow, and it is often used in cooking. Besides its colorful flowers, basil is also very fragrant. Many gardeners say that basil makes tomatoes taste better.

Pot Marigolds are another good companion for geraniums. Pot Marigolds grow well in partial shade. Both marigolds and geraniums are pest-repellent, and they repel mosquitoes and slugs.

Another good companion for geraniums is salvia. Salvia can be found in a variety of colors, including red, purple, and white. It is a drought-tolerant, flowering perennial.

Pests

Many gardeners grow geraniums, a popular flowering plant that is easy to care for. However, these plants are often attacked by various pests. This is especially true in warm, wet climates. In order to avoid damage, you need to identify the pests and take appropriate action. The following tips will help you control a variety of geranium pests.

Bugs and worms are among the most common insects that affect geraniums. If you notice any bugs or worms on your geraniums, it is best to take action. You can eliminate them with insecticides or a simple hose. For more serious infestations, you may need to hire a professional.

There are two types of geranium budworms. These larvae can be found on buds or the leaf surfaces. They eat leaves and flowers, and their appetites can be huge. Geraniums infected with budworms should be moved outdoors in the winter.

Aphids are also common pests on geraniums. They are small winged pinheads that feed on the plant sap. They can be easily identified and are generally on the bottom surface of the leaves. You can prevent aphids by spraying the leaves with insecticidal soaps, which are safe to use. Another option is to purchase a mealybug destroyer.

Another geranium pest that you need to watch out for is the cottony cushion scale. This bug is a small, white scale that can defoliate the plant and decrease its vitality. To keep it under control, you can apply insecticidal soaps on the leaves and apply a water stream to dislodge the scale.

Snails are another geranium pest that can be a problem. These little creatures can be caught manually using a bucket under the plant. Melon rinds can also be placed under the leaves and snails can be dragged off. Some slugs will hide under stones and debris. Be sure to remove the soil around the plant before applying any granular material.

Whiteflies are another common geranium pest. Whiteflies can be easily spotted. Although they can be a nuisance, they are not harmful. Spiders, lizards, ladybugs, and hummingbirds are great whitefly predators.

Other geranium pests include caterpillars, mites, and slugs. The best defense against all these is to inspect your plant frequently. Use protective gardening gloves and check the plant carefully for signs of infestation. By examining your geraniums on a regular basis, you will be able to catch any problems early and avoid costly repairs.

Slugs can be a nuisance, but they do not typically cause any damage to your plants. They can be removed by hand or by using a hose to blow them off. But they do prefer organic matter and will eat the roots, stems, and leaves of your geraniums. Using a diatomaceous earth around the base of your geranium can help repel slugs.