SPOTLIGHT ON: PELARGONIUMS

These beauties are the power behind some of the most eye– catching summer container displays. The popular kinds for summer tubs are zonal pelargoniums – classic geraniums with rounded leaves that often have a darker ‘zone’ in the centre.

Ivy–leaved pelargoniums have shield–shaped leaves and a sprawling habit that makes them near impossible to keep tidy in pots. But they are brilliant for hanging baskets and window boxes.

Regals, my favourites, have almost orchid-like flowers in rich pinks, pearly whites and almost black maroons.

And the vintage variety ‘Lord Bute’ is particularly exotic – lustrous black with contrasting pale pink rims round the petals.

Then there are the scented– leaved pelargoniums. Grown for their aromatic leaves, which come in citrus scents, spices and peppermint, these are great for situating somewhere you’ll brush past to release their aromatic oils.

A huge range of pelargoniums is on sale now so buy while stocks last. At home, pot them up into three or four–inch pots using a mixture of 50:50 John Innes No2 and peat–free potting compost, then keep them on your sunniest windowsill.

Unless they branch out naturally, nip out the tip of each shoot to encourage sideshoots. The more shoots each plant has the more flowers it bears.

Water them sparingly and feed lightly – a weak tomato feed every couple of weeks from July till late August will help. Look them over each week, remove yellow lower leaves and snap off spent stems.

Start now and you’ll have the makings of a first–class display that will keep going until October.