Care-free perennials: geranium

Geraniums add a lovely burst of colour to any flower bed or pot. They come in a variety of colours and require very little maintenance.

Because they're hardy in Zones 10 and 11, geraniums are typically treated as annuals elsewhere. But if you're lucky enough to live in warmer climates or carefully tend to them indoors, then geraniums are perennials you can enjoy year after year.

Tips on growing geraniums

There are many different varieties of geraniums, so how you grow them depends on which type you choose. Another factor that comes into play is whether you plant them indoors or out. If you opt to grow them outside, plant them in a spot where there's at least six hours of sunlight a day. They don't do particularly well in the cold, so wait until the last frost of spring has passed before putting them into the soil.

If your geraniums are going to be indoor plants, then they still need plenty of light but you may be able to get away with moderate light conditions. The temperature should be fairly constant and warm, ranging from 13C at night to no more than about 21C during the day.

But no matter if they're going to be indoor or outdoor geraniums, the type of soil matters. Pick out a bag of well-draining potting soil with equal parts soil, perlite and peat so your geraniums are happy and thriving. You'll know you've done well if your geraniums grow to be about 45 centimetres tall and roughly 90 centimetres wide.

Hardy and reliable, Geranium × oxonianum 'Claridge Druce' is an easily grown, spreading, pink-flowering plant, that is 45 centimetres (18 inches) tall and can grow twice as wide. It blooms prolifically all summer and has handsome grey-green leaves.

Not much maintenance required

Apart from watering your geraniums from the sides (never from above!) and ensuring the soil is moist, you don't have to do much else. The flowery tips of your geraniums will start to die off, but simply plucking them off will help the plant distribute nutrients elsewhere. You can also be a little more aggressive and proactive with your geranium by deadheading healthy flowers to stimulate growth in budding blossoms.

If you plan on keeping your geraniums a while, then using 5-10-5 fertilizer about once a month or so will help keep them healthy and happy. With indoor geraniums, you might have to repot them once they start growing bigger or if their leaves start wilting, but that's about as complicated as things get.

Geraniums are one of the world's most popular flowers because of their vibrant colours and ease in growing. Pick up one today and watch it instantly brighten your home.